Local Hero returns to big screen

To mark its 40th anniversary, Bill Forsyth’s 1983 classic film Local Hero is getting a UK relaunch tomorrow, Friday May

19, with screenings in Highland Cinema, Fort William, on Sunday 21 and Tuesday 23, writes Ken Johnston.

Filmed mainly in Lochaber, this delightful film is centred on the scenic Camusdarach beach between Arisaig and Morar to where Texas oil executive Mac MacIntyre, played by Peter Riegert, is despatched to buy out the local residents and set up an oil refinery.

The making of the film, the sets, the house disguised as a church, the old man’s shack, and the huge number of extras, vehicles and crew, had considerable impact on this little rural community and is still talked about fondly to this day. Mark Knopfler’s haunting theme tune Going Home is considered to be a worthy legacy to a film that many consider to be a classic. Oscar-winning actor Burt Lancaster, pictured above signing autographs in Fort William, who played Mac’s boss Felix Happer, stayed in Inverlochy Castle Hotel and many locals, including Calum MacKinnon, remember him signing autographs outside the William Low Supermarket on the High Street in Fort William. Donna MacLennan recalls her mother and aunt meeting Burt.

Many Lochaber residents benefited from temporary work as extras and “got a good daily payment”. Gladys Prosser’s dad drove one of the actors’ minibuses and local firm Metalcraft fabricated several props for the film.

Local girl Maggie Malin met her husband when the film was being made. He was a props master.

Bill Forsyth’s Local Hero has been described as a “love poem to Scotland that will bring a lump to your throat”. If you have not had the pleasure of watching this charming film on the big screen, try to catch the relaunch.