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Tribute: Local Hero

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Mark Kermode | 12:22 UK time, Friday, 7 November 2008

A classic movie gets a musical homage that will bring tears to your eyes.

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  • 1. At 2:15pm on 07 Nov 2008, sinaplenty wrote:

    Another excellent musical tribute there, but can I give a little advice for the ceilidh event?... Don't choose a tshirt or shirt that clashes so badly with the colour your face goes whilst playing.

    Other than that, top work.

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  • 2. At 3:12pm on 07 Nov 2008, rich_trenholm wrote:

    Got the film with a sunday paper the other week so I'll watch it this weekend. Even though I've never seen it, the music still holds a special significance because they play 'Going Home' at the end of every Tranmere Rovers home game, as everybody, yes, goes home.

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  • 3. At 4:21pm on 07 Nov 2008, jnanagarbha wrote:

    What a cruel and unusual punishment for a piece of music you claim to love!

    And I'm curious about the logo or slogan that is digitally obscured on your t-shirt.....

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  • 4. At 7:47pm on 07 Nov 2008, tallScottishgirl wrote:

    Local Hero - one of the best films ever and it does have a beautiful soundtrack. By the way, I do hope you wore a kilt to the ceilidh.

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  • 5. At 9:28pm on 07 Nov 2008, RickMWalker wrote:

    You played it much better on the day.

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  • 6. At 11:25pm on 08 Nov 2008, anne-christine wrote:

    I've just watched your video after having listened to the new Bond-theme (ugh!) on the radio - guess whose performance I preferred? So you want to accompany your reviews with your music? Why the restraint? Go for the soundtracks and apply for doing the next Bond-theme, they sure could do with something better next time round!!

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  • 7. At 02:45am on 09 Nov 2008, colinr0380 wrote:

    The bagpipe stylings reminded me of the opening to The Wicker Man! :)

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  • 8. At 2:04pm on 09 Nov 2008, MaureenTL wrote:

    Saw you in Pennan interviewing Bill Forsyth and was going to tell you I enjoyed your skiffle - wish I had now!
    I know an excellent piper who would give you some lessons!

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  • 9. At 10:04am on 10 Nov 2008, EllenW-web_producer wrote:

    The Local Hero item is on the first Culture Show of the new series, Tuesday 18 November - more details here as well as a nice picture of Mark with Bill Forsyth:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thecultureshow/2008/11/local-hero.html

    Ellen West
    the Culture Show

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  • 10. At 12:51pm on 12 Nov 2008, EuroPaddy wrote:

    Probably a bit late, but good effort on the pipes. And your facials were simply PRICELESS!

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  • 11. At 08:16am on 13 Nov 2008, psychogerbil wrote:

    brilliant - it did bring tear to my eyes, or that could be my new contact lens...

    please let us know when the culture show is starting again.

    Don't know if you are taking suggestions for other instruments but surely the digeridoo has got to be an option.

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  • 12. At 9:59pm on 13 Nov 2008, Perless wrote:

    You weren't in Hamelin earlier in your career were you?

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  • 13. At 8:52pm on 18 Nov 2008, ragbag1 wrote:

    many years ago when i visited pennan on holiday i was told the endearing
    story about a german business man who was a fan of the film and had
    visited pennan.

    when he returned to his office in germany and whenever he was feeling
    the stress of work life, he would pick up the phone and dial the
    phonebox in pennan, just to hear it ring out.

    that was his destress, to know the phone was ringing on the shorefront.

    just thought it was a nice little story to pass on.

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  • 14. At 10:42pm on 18 Nov 2008, knoxoilandgas wrote:

    Just watched the programme - absolutely fantastic.

    I too have sat on the pier wall, phoned from the box and have a handful of sand from Morar beach (which is one of the most beautifu; places I have ever seen)

    I suppose the only thing to do now is get a 42 year old malt and watch the film, for the 147th time (approx)

    here's the next 25 years - and no remakes...

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  • 15. At 10:34am on 19 Nov 2008, geand68 wrote:

    Just saw the culture show segment on local hero, well done. I am a film studies teacher at a secondary school and some of my recent students told me that they thought Local Hero was the worst film of all time! It may have been the pace of the film, something they really aren't used to with contemporary output, but they missed the beauty the film conveys and I think that this is a pity, it might even drive you to thinking why have they chosen the subject in the first place?
    Anyway, your report vindicated me and I will strap the doubting toms down to watch and listen!

    Keep it up!

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  • 16. At 09:36am on 20 Nov 2008, captain_midnight wrote:

    I was offshore on a BP oil platform in 1983 when this was shown and we had a right good laugh watching it - I also remember that they put out a call for extras to look like Executives when they filmed in Aberdeen Airport. There was also a special making of programme on the TV back then too and it featured Mark Knopfler in the studio explaining how he wrote the music - shame it isn't on the new DVD version

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  • 17. At 8:42pm on 20 Nov 2008, timleach wrote:

    Mark - I love your reviews but was never too sure about the Exorcist... However, if Local Hero is your second favourite film I am happy to move on...
    I saw the film in 1982 and many times since - it is magical and the themes seem even more relevant today. I agree with your comment it seems to be permanently on the boundary between comedy and sadness (a bit like life?). It just seems to subtly hold up a mirror to our value systems and say "there is another way..."

    A beautiful film!


    TL

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  • 18. At 7:52pm on 24 Nov 2008, auntiejanice wrote:

    I was disappointed at the unprofessional attitude of Mark Kermode and director Bill Forstyth during the screening of Local Hero.

    They were at the back of the hall commenting on the film when people were trying to watch it. If Mark Kermode thinks Local Hero is such a wonderful film he should keep quiet during the performance and let people see it uninterrupted.

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