1983 Hit Film, With Soft Rock Theme Song, Still Holds a Perfect Rating
In 1983, a comedy-drama film captured viewers' attention with distinct storytelling and an unforgettable soundtrack.
Decades later, Local Hero still holds its charm for new generations of audiences and boasts a flawless rating, proving its timeless appeal.
Written and directed by Bill Forsyth, the beloved Scottish film centers around the protagonist Mac MacIntyre, played by Peter Riegert, a Houston-based oil executive who was sent by his eccentric billionaire boss Felix Happer, portrayed by Burt Lancaster, to Ferness, a fictional remote Scottish coastal village, with the goal of acquiring the entire town to construct a massive oil refinery.
Amid the eagerness of the cash-strapped locals to sell their properties, something about the town's laid-back and slow-paced life caught his attention. He was charmed by its simplicity, which prompted him to undergo a profound personal transformation.
Although it failed to achieve box office success at the time of its release, Local Hero is now considered an iconic movie and a force that redefined Scottish cinema.
Rotten Tomatoes, a film and television review aggregation website, gave the movie a solid 100 percent on the Tomatometer, a rating that reflects the percentage of positive reviews given by critics.
In a list that includes 100 movies with a perfect Tomatometer score, Local Hero secured the 63rd spot.
Moreover, critics also praised the ensemble cast as a mix of notable stars anchored by Hollywood legend Burt Lancaster and Peter Riegert along with emerging talent and young actors from Glasgow's youth theater group.
At the time, the director wanted an A-list star to portray a lead role, but getting one was a challenge, especially due to the financial constraints on the budget.
"The first thing that Bill had said to me when he delivered the screenplay was, 'I'd like Burt Lancaster to play Happer," film producer David Puttnam recalled , as cited by the BBC, noting that the actor's salary took up half of the film's production cost.
Moreover, it took a year to get Lancaster on board, but it was worth it.
Meanwhile, special recognition was given by the critics to Lancaster, who was said to "get better with age," while Riegert was described as "effective as his ambassador."
Additionally, film reviewers hailed Local Hero as a "Scottish-American charmer with a sublime soundtrack," referring to "Going Home."
Performed by Dire Straits frontman and guitarist Mark Knopfler, the track is known for its saxophone solo by Michael Brecker that perfectly aligned with the vocalist's understated delivery, capturing a distinct soft rock sound.
Local Hero earned multiple nominations at the 37th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), which include Best Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Burt Lancaster, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Music Score for Mark Knopfler but ended up winning Best Direction.
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 6:00 AM.