MovieChat Forums > Local Hero (1983) Discussion > How many times have you watched Local He...

How many times have you watched Local Hero?

posted 16 years ago by rthomp-8
78 replies | jump to latest

I guess most people on this message board love Local Hero. For me it is one of my two favourite films. I first watched it soon after it came out at a cinema in St Helens. I must have watched it 10 times since, more than any other film. Somehow, I find I can watch it many times and I don't get bored of it, whereas I would with other films.

I'm interested in how many times others have watched it over the years. Where did you first watch it? And do you feel the same about not getting bored with it?

[–] elantipatico 16 years ago

I have only seen it about three times, but I am sure I would not get tired of seeing it. Great Movie

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mason_thomas 16 years ago

First saw it at age 12 and have seen it about thirty times since. And no, I am not bored with it.

[–] pounce44 16 years ago

I've lost count. I bought first the VHS, then the DVD.
I watch it once or twice a year.

[–] vimhawk 16 years ago

I've also lost count of how many times I've watched it. Like someone else posted in a different thread, it's my "comfort movie". I tend to watch it these days when things are looking bad, or I'm not happy with life the universe and everything. I lay down on the sofa about midnight and start watching with a half litre beer stein full of tea. It doesn't matter that I can probably remember almost all the dialogue.

[–] rudeboy_murray 16 years ago

I was pretty young when I first saw it and I've probably watched it right through nine or ten times. But when it's on TV I must have dipped into it dozens more times. Never been tired of it, never will.

[–] MumsyKat93 16 years ago

More times than I can count. When I just need a heart-lift, I pop it into the player. Never fails!

[–] destinysmile 16 years ago

Atleast three, though tonight watched the whole thing, i think i missed the ending when it was on tv... trully great!

"Me? I know I'm a freak"

[–] Rock_C 16 years ago

I've lost count! I first saw it years ago, watched it every time it was on TV, which wasn't often, so was delighted to find the DVD a few years ago.

It's a lovely, low-key, feel-good film, a great antidote to block-busters, busy days and a bustling city.

******************************************
Laura, it's getting away from us again!

[–] sabalon1 16 years ago

same here, i've lost count over the years.

2-3 times a year, for at least a dozen years. comparing apples to oranges, but just like Caddyshack for me, i find something new each time i watch it that tickles my funny bone.

watched it last night and i finally caught something subtle but humorous. driving to furness with danny and thier stuck in the fog. mac pulls out of his wallet a picture of his car.

who has a picture of thier car in thier wallet? so subtle but it helps set up his character so well.

if it wasn't for my horse, i wouldn't have spent that year in college

[–] GerritWijnne 16 years ago

Can't remember how many times. Must have seen it at least twenty times, probably more. It's the one film I always come back to. It's a small little world I need to visit every now and then when the big world outside closes in on me. When i need to visit Ferness I pour myself a good whisky and sit back. Hell, sometimes it's a cathartic thing...

[–] JohnnyMbgood 16 years ago

Hi there!...Well, as a matter of fact this was the first time I ever saw it, I had really no big expectations, but the story just grew on me, it's beatiful. And as you said I had to pour myself some whiskey in the middle of it...it's the perfect movie to see when you just want to hide away from the madness of this world.

CHEERS!

[–] pounce44 16 years ago

I've lost count.
First I had the VHS, then I got the DVD.
I so wish they'd issue a fancy DVD with all the special features, bells and whistles.
Anyway.
I agree, LH is a lovely world to escape to and inhabit a couple times every year.
Sort of like going off to Brigadoon for awhile.

[–] rkruczynski 15 years ago

Once. Got the dvd for Christmas and we watched the other night. Kind of a let down after seeing the 7.4 rating and reading the comments. I will watch it again just to see if the problem was with me.

[–] newyearsday 15 years ago

I've probably seen it around 12 or 15 times now, which is a LOT for me. After years of pre-Internet, pre-YouTube loving this movie in a vacuum (save for my family), it's great reading how others like me look to it to remind us of life's humor, magic, and salty, down-to-earth romance. I just don't get tired of its understated brilliance and hilarity. I constantly quote it in my head and love being able to show it to other first-timers who get it.

"...I wonder what the poo-er people ahhr doin' tanight?"

[–] Wilburrabbit 15 years ago

I too have lost count.

[–] scoutstress 15 years ago

Local Hero changed my life. I left the corporate telecommunications world and purchased an old house in the little community of Dungeness on the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.

I'm sure he went back.

About watching? I too, view it a few times a year. I couldn't get any of my extended family members to watch (too "old" a movie, "that guy from Animal House?" or even "Burt Lancaster --- he was still alive then?"), so for Christmas several years ago (the year I left the city) I gave all of them DVD copies.

It's never lost its magic.

scout

Oh, p.s. I'm old enough that I saw it in the theater the first time. It took me 10 years to take the leap.

[–] CineFan007 15 years ago

Infinity.

One of my Ten Best of my life. Exquisite perfection.

As an earlier writer said "Hated to see it end."

God, I wish Bill Forsyth was still producing material. So much better than the garbage at the local mall cineplex.

[–] comeinandjointhariot 15 years ago

I will never stop watching this film. My parents first showed me it when I was very small, they claim to use it to judge people by, if they don't love it then they aren't worth knowing!

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] andersen-eva 15 years ago

A friend of mine and his partner does this, too.

I think I've watched the film about 10 times or so - so far. I really love its humour.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] dudleydemon 15 years ago

I first saw it in the cinema, then on VHS then on DVD. I lost count after 35 viewings but I guess it's way more than 50 now.

I friend of mine claimed that those who don't love it have no soul.

I was in Scotland in 1997 and went out of my way to visit Pennan. I called my friend from THE phone booth (she lives in Sydney, Australia)and she was tickled, despite being dragged out of bed at some unholy hour.

I found the people in the town to be as friendly and open as those in the film. Alas, no Stella (who I still lust after), and no "Old Ben".

Every time I watch this film I plead with Happer not to send Mac back to Houston. And I'd love to see inside "Old Ben's" home.

[–] rindercella 15 years ago

lucky....one dream is to see that phone booth, and see Scotland itself.

[–] dudleydemon 15 years ago

There are any number of towns like Pennan. They're all quaint and picturesque. I think they chose Pennan because it's nestled in a small bay and is therefore fairly compact.

It's a cute little town and seemed to have friendly people. I stayed there about 24 hours but next time I might stay a week.

[–] stevenvh 15 years ago

Not very often, really. Certainly not more than 50 times .
Last time: yesterday.
Bored: no.

--
I never make mistakes. Once I thought I did, but I was wrong.

[–] bethwilliam 15 years ago

I've watched it 8 times.
It was the first movie I bought on DVD.
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

[–] mozgreen 15 years ago

The only film I can watch many times per year. My vhs video got damaged but the DVD came with a UK national newspaper a while back. I've only watched it 50 odd times, too.
I regret I missed it on the big screen.