This appears to be a movie that partially succeeds in it's message of maintaining a semblance of humanity where it could have been an exercise in all out anti-capitalism. Oil industry executives 'Mac' MacIntyre (Peter Riegert) and his boss, Felix Happer (Burt Lancaster), undergo a serious change of heart regarding their plans to build an oil refinery on the shores of a Scottish village, due primarily to their own inner conflicts and the outgoing personality of an old time beachcomber named Ben Knox (Fulton Mackay). That Ben coincidentally has the last name of Happer's company, Knox Industries, may or may not lead one to conclude that the Knox family patriarch at one time was swindled by a big business concern. The thought did occur to me when Ben's full name was revealed, but it's never confirmed in a definitive way, thus leaving it to the viewer's own imagination. There are some funny and poignant moments in the picture, introduced it seems, to insert an element of whimsy into the story. However depending on one's disposition, Marina's (Jenny Seagrove) webbed feet might elicit either a chuckle or a groan in reaction. To maintain that magical, mystical feeling, the story line could have done a better job to keep that fanciful feeling alive throughout. I didn't know how to react for example, when Mac's adopted rabbit wound up on the dinner table - "I'm sorry Mac, but we eat rabbits here".For those who enjoyed this movie, I'd recommend crossing the Atlantic to a picture that takes place in the American Southwest. "The MIlagro Beanfield War" has a similar story line of a small town being seduced by greedy corporate fat cats, though in this instance, it's the little guys who eventually win out. The film has a bigger name cast that blends in nicely with local talent without stepping on their toes. It achieves a spirituality that "Local Hero" doesn't quite reach though it tries, with a guardian angel that might have added a touch of capricious humor to the proceedings here.

This movie ranks as No.37 on the BFI Top 100, and that is what probably led me to watch it. I'm happy I did!When a Texas oil company decides to establish a refinery in Scotland, the company head, Felix Happer (Burt Lancaster) sends one of his Scotsman, Mac (Peter Riegert), there to buy the land from the locals. 'Mac' accepts the job even though he would rather just enjoy his life in Houston. Part of Happer's instructions to Mac is to watch the skies over Scotland for comet activity in the constellation Virgo since Happer's real bliss is astronomy--and having a comet named after him. After arriving in the Scottish village to make the deal, Mac is told by the town's jack-of-all-trades official that he would have to check it out with the locals.While waiting for the results, Mac takes in the local color and evolves from a stuffy executive to a guy in touch with the locals. But, while he waits for 'the town' to make its decision, he is unaware that everyone there is dreaming of leaving the village and getting rich from the Americans. The important lone holdout is an old beach comber, Ben Knox (Fulton Mackay), who owns an important part of the needed land. When negotiations with Knox fail, Happer comes to Scotland to push the deal forward, with unusual results. This is a gem in which the viewer is taken for a fun roller-coaster ride. While watching it, I was reminded of other pretty good British comedies with similar plots, later movies like: Waking Ned Devine (1998) and The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (1995).

An American oil company sends a man (Peter Riegert) to Scotland to buy up an entire village where they want to build a refinery. But things do not go as expected.There is much to like about this film. Burt Lancaster as an astrologist, a man who is (innocently) mistaken for a Scotsman, an actual Scotsman whose name is Olson. There is an environmental message here, which prompted Al Gore in 2000 to say this was his favorite film. (The theme is a bit obvious -- an oil company trying to buy pristine land, including a church.) Allegedly, the Mark Knopfler soundtrack did better than the film itself. That would not surprise me. Had it not ended up on the IMDb Top 250 (somehow), this film would never have come to my attention.

One of my favorite movies of all time. Acting, humor and no although I did not like the ending much, it was subtle. I watched this for the first time in college, and although many years have passed, and my political view have changed, this movie has stood the test of time in my heart. Loved it, and want to visit the area it was filmed. The humor is exquisite. Mark Knoffler's soundtrack is phenomenal. Ever see him in concert? He play's "going home"- check it out on You Tube. One of his best works ever! If you're in the mood check out another touching film called "Daisy's in December"...similar humor, message will last you a lifetime.