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 | Burt Lancaster, Peter Riegert, Denis Lawson | |
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| Bill Forsyth | |
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| Bill Forsyth | |
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| David Puttnam | |
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| Completed | |
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| 1983 | |
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| In the corridors of power at the giant American corporation Knox Oil and Gas, moves are afoot to build an oil refining plant at the remote Scottish coastal village of Ferness. Knox Chairman FELIX HARPER (Burt Lancaster) decides to send one of his executives to supervise the deal and MACINTYRE (Peter Riegert) is chosen in the mistaken belief that his name makes him Scottish.
After some delays in the Scottish mist MAC finally arrives in Ferness, where
GORDON URQUHART (Denis Lawson) greets him. Not only the village accountant, hotel owner, waiter and husband of the delicious Stella, but also chief negotiator in the not inconsiderable matter of Knox Oil and Gas. When Mac tells him Knox is interested in the entire village, Gordon realises that the money on offer could be far more than he dared anticipate. He exaggerates the difficulties of the deal, knowing that in fact everyone is quite compliant.
Very quickly, the gentle rhythms of rural Scottish life cause Mac to lose his sharp American efficiency as he surrenders to the lure of this quiet idyll. Far from encountering opposition and hostility, Mac discovers that the locals are positively encouraging and the deal looks ready to close.
However, as Felix Harper arrives by private helicopter, Mac and Gordon meet last minute opposition from old Ben Knox, whose family has lived on the beach for generations. No amount of negotiation will change his mind: the beach is not for sale. Could it be that Knox is, for the first time, to be denied the opportunity to expand? The whole village holds its breath... | |
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| •BAFTA Awards
1984 - Best Direction (Bill Forsyth)
•National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA
1984 - Best Screenplay (Bill Forsyth)
•New York Film Critics Circle Awards
1983 - Best Screenplay (Bill Forsyth) | |
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