MovieChat Forums > Local Hero (1983) Discussion > Possibly Best Ending Ever (spoiler!!!)

Possibly Best Ending Ever (spoiler!!!)

posted 21 years ago by Mickyfinn
68 replies | jump to latest

I wonder if I am alone in seeing the end of Local Hero possibly the best ending of a motion picture....ever.

Mac wandering through his apartment.....Mark Knophler's music....Mac checking the fridge...removing rocks and shells from his pockets....posting pictures....moving to his balcony, the city sounds welling up...fade out and up on Furness..... the red phone box... music picking up...two rings.. and a cut (not fade) to black and credits...music to full (the music title? Coming Home).

I get emotional just thinking about it. I think its because we feel for Mac- at once both an incredible sense of loss and an indescribable sense of hope as the phone rings... and even then a sense of introspection in the cut to black- perhaps an examination of ourselves.

Unbelievable. Local Hero is one film I use to answer the question- if you'd like to know what I'm all about- what truly moves me or what I aspire to- watch it, and then get back to me.

Unfortunate so many will never have the privedge to see this film (for whatever reason).

[–] Sheriff_Of_Nottingham 15 years ago

Totally agree! This is one of the quietest yet most powerful endings I have ever seen.

[–] HuwD4 15 years ago

This powerful ending was not even intended!

In the Special Features interview (remastered DVD), Bill Forsyth reveals that the 'telephone box' ending wasn't part of the original cut of the film.

The film had been shown to focus groups in the US and the ending (Mac arriving home to his empty US life) was considered too big a downer. The studio bosses requested a more uplifting conclusion. Their suggestion was that Mac should get off the helicopter at the last moment and decide to stay in Scotland! Forsyth hated this horribly cheesy idea and eventually came up with using an existing wide shot along with the ringing telephone.

[–] pounce44 15 years ago

I am so glad they did the telephone box instead of the last moment thing!
The telephone shot not only fits in with the tone of the movie, it is the perfect punctuation point for the story.
I need to get that remastered DVD.

[–] BoxOfficePoison 15 years ago

The ending as it stands still chokes me up every time. The off-the-chopper-at-the-last-minute thing would have just made me throw things at the screen.

[–] Keith100 15 years ago

I agree with the earlier post that the phone ringing to an empty town conveys the fact the townsfolk took the money and ran. And yes, one of the great final scenes in history.

Funny, I remember when Billy Crystal's "City Slickers" came out and people were sitting around after the film talking about how Slickers conveyed what was important in life, how we need to slow down, blah, blah. I couldn't believe what these people took from it. If I recall critics also pointed out the "MESSAGE." For me, as I watched Slickers and the story took hold, all I kept saying was this was the same story as "Local Hero," only Hero was 100 times better.

[–] coolbluegreen 14 years ago

The townspeople couldn't take the money and run since the money was no longer offered. Burt Lancaster's character no longer wanted to buy the town to make an oil refinery -- he wanted to build a research facility dedicated to researching the sea and stars. There would be jobs there, but no need to buy the town.

[–] asimov13647 14 years ago

The first time I saw LH (about 20 or 30 viewings ago) I wept at the last scene.

[–] Shadow953854778 14 years ago

I agree. Just watched the movie again on TCM and started crying at the end. This movie is so understated and deadpan and yet the emotional wallop (brilliant editing) at the end sticks with you. Great, great ending.

[–] rudeboy_murray 14 years ago

One of the very few movie endings guaranteed to make me cry however many times I see it. Just perfect.

[–] borderboy 13 years ago

Yes, a very good ending. I thought so the first time I saw it, nearly 30 years ago, and again on seeing it on TV just now (in my home in the Scottish hills).

Even better though is the ending of Big Night. A single take, static camera, two guys in a kitchen, making breakfast, for more than 5 minutes. Almost no dialogue. It makes absolute (and very powerful) emotional sense. Please check it out.

[–] Harrys_Boy 13 years ago

I loved the ending and I think the best way to describe it is bitter sweet. It's just great to see that Mac finally admits how much he loves the place but it also makes you realise how empty his life is back at Huston. As for what happens when the film fades to black who knows, but what a wonderful experience.

[–] princesstinymeat 11 years ago

I just watched this film for the first time, and I found the ending very satisfying.

[–] InfiniteMonkeysTyping 11 years ago

I've always felt that one of the main themes of this film was Mac's transformation into a Ferness villager.

This final scene solidified that theme by making it seem that Mac felt lost while in his own Houston apartment.

[–] Youngglenfarg 10 years ago

Apologies if this has already been mentioned on this board but I haven't read all the threads. Bill Forsyth revealed on the 25th anniversary DVD release that the phone box ringing at the end was tacked on at the very last minute to please Hollywood bosses. Bill had gone to LA to show the film to the Hollywood folks and they were apparently unhappy with the negative ending, with Mac returning empty-handed to his lonely Houston apartment, and were therefore threatening the film's release. Bill phoned his studio in London as he knew there was a long shot of the pier on the cutting room floor and some assistant managed to find it and splice it in time. They stuck the phone ring over the top of it, and the rest as they say, is history. Agreed it is a great ending, but without "Going Home" would be forgettable.

[–] Jamesir_Bensonmum 10 years ago

Youngglenfarg --

I didn't know that about the shot of the phone box ringing (that it was added only at the last minute). However, I think even without that scene, it was clear that Mac felt like Houston was place in which he still belonged.

The theme of this film to me is Mac's slow transformation into becoming someone who no longer belonged in Houston, but rather belonged in Ferness instead. There was no one particular scene in the film that we could point to and say "that's when Mac felt he belonged in Ferness", but the scene at the end with Mac in his apartment made it clear that sometime over the course of the entire film, Mac slowly came to the realization.

[–] wooody 10 years ago

Micky,

we are truly kindred spirits when it comes to this sweet, quirky journey to Furness.

My favorite film of all time. I explain it the same way you do as it applies to me.

Regarding the ending, it was unique and telling. Apparently fans still phone up that phone box for a thrill.

However, I am supporting a recent film that also features a heart stopping finale...Whiplash!! Different type of conclusion entirely but it is tres effective. Check it out...

Loved your narrative!!

I'm sure you're also a fan of Gregory's Girl and Comfort and Joy ...

You should also track down When Brendan Met Trudy as well..

[–] Mickyfinn 10 years ago

Thanks Wooody. I like Gregory's Girl, but oddly Comfort and Joy not so much.

To me, Local Hero is one-of-a-kind. I will give When Brendan Met... a look-see.

I'd recommend Crossing Delancy (also with Peter Reigert). Way different in that its a romantic comedy, but it gives me the same feeling somehow.

You just have to be resigned-
You're crashing by design

[–] wooody 10 years ago

Thanks Micky,

I actually saw Crossing Delancey in the theater when it was originally released. Like Local Hero, it was a sweet, quirky film. Please check the preview for When Brendan Met Trudy...very funny, with an eye towards some iconic films from the past.

Cheers!