The vote is over and the Kingdom remains United. You may be sighing in relief or sobbing in your whiskey, but either way it's a great time to reflect on the magic of Scotland, and perhaps no film does a better job of portraying the delightfully independent and quirky spirit of its people than a little movie called Local Hero.
Released in 1983 from director Bill Forsyth, Local Hero follows an American oil company executive (Peter Riegert) sent to a small village in Scotland, on orders to quietly buy the entire town, to serve as the location for a future refinery.
What's that? You've never seen Local Hero? Why should you track down this
little gem? Well, fans of classic movies are treated to one of the last great
Burt Lancaster performances, as an oil company CEO with his head in the stars. Doctor Who fans, feast your eyes on a very young Peter Capaldi -
who's just marvelous here - and Star
Wars fans will enjoy seeing
Denis Lawson (X-wing pilot Wedge Antilles!). As the Preston Sturges
protagonist, Peter Riegert holds it all together as a gateway for the audience,
as he - and we - simultaneously begin to succumb to the off-kilter delights and
freedoms of this country's unique spirit and charm.
Fueled by a truly evocative and fantastic
Mark Knopfler soundtrack, Local
Hero is one of those films
that may have eluded you (or that you may only dimly remember), but if you're
hungry for a magical little film with a strong sense of whimsy, Local Hero will help
cement your desire to visit Scotland and have you searching for the nearest cèilidh. The vote for independence may be over, but if recent events
have you intrigued about the country and her people, Local Hero serves as a
fine example that true independence of spirit will always be what defines them.
So hoist a jar and cry, "Sláinte!" - and toast to Scotland
Forever!
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