Forty years after its UK release, the 1983 film Local Hero continues to captivate audiences with its tale of a US petro-chemical giant attempting to build a refinery in a Scottish coastal village. Directed by Bill Forsyth, the film's universal story of small-town life triumphing over corporate interests has won fans worldwide.
The film famously features a red phone box in the Aberdeenshire village of Pennan, which played a key role as the fictional village of Ferness. Actor Peter Riegert, who played central character Mac MacIntyre, recalled the magic of filming in Scotland. 'The light on the beach during the magic hour, I'd never seen anything like it,' he said, adding that the script was 'the best-written screenplay I've ever read.'
Local residents continue to maintain the iconic phone box, which remains a tourist attraction. Bill Pitt, who runs self-catering cottages overlooking Pennan, said the phone box is 'a big economic driver for the area.' He and Eddie Hayes paint and upkeep the kiosk, ensuring it stays a 'reflection of the community.'
Denis Lawson, who played Gordon Urquhart in the film, expressed pride in the movie's longevity. 'It's such a satisfying feeling that Local Hero has had such longevity,' he said. 'It was a movie set in Scotland but it had a universal story.'
