A fishing community on an Outer Hebridean island feels like their way of life is about to fall off the edge of the world as modernization threatens their traditional way of life. With the winds of change blowing across the island, many residents have opted to move on and head to the mainland. Robbie Manson (Eric Berry) sees no future in staying and encourages others to come with him. His father, Peter Manson (John Laurie), is a community leader and is determined to stay along with Robbie’s sister Ruth (Belle Chrystall), who has fallen in love with Andrew Gray (Niall MacGinnis), another prominent figure on the island. Andrew contests Robbie’s call to evacuate and as local custom dictates, the two men decide to settle their dispute by racing up a nearby cliff and the winner decides the outcome of the argument. Without safety ropes the men foolishly put themselves in harm’s way, resulting in a tragedy that devastates both families and severely impacts the future of the island. Look for director Michael Powell as the captain of a yacht at the beginning of the film, in a scene that sets up an all-important flashback.
