Two families living on a remote island off the coast of Scotland, the Mansons and the Grays, are united by friendship and the romance between young Ruth and Andrew. Ruth's brother Robbie plans to leave the island in spite of Andrew's objections, believing that there is no future living there. To settle their argument, the two men follow an ancient local tradition and race to the top of the island's 1,220-foot cliffs to see whose opinion should prevail. The outcome shatters the island's peace and splits the two clans apart.

Shot entirely on the wild, windswept island of Foula in the Shetlands, The Edge of the World is beautiful, thrilling, and profoundly moving. For cinema great Powell (who went on to make such enduring masterpieces as The Red Shoes and I Know Where I'm Going!), this was his first important film and one that remained dear to his heart. Film fans will especially enjoy seeing director Powell himself in the role of the yacht owner.