Chance of a Lifetime

In postwar Britain, Dickinson struggles to keep his failing agricultural-implements factory afloat during austerity. He works hard while the workers grow resentful of his leadership and Bland’s bullying. The atmosphere is tense as morale sinks and survival seems unlikely.

To appease workers who feel ignored, Dickinson installs a suggestion box. Bland retaliates by threatening latecomers and the response is insulting rather than constructive. The box becomes a flashpoint for ongoing dissatisfaction.

Bland sacks Bolger, the author of the suggestion. The workforce goes on strike in response. Dickinson confronts them and, in the heat of the moment, tells them he works much harder than they do and dares them to run the business themselves.

In a heated moment, Dickinson declares he works harder than the workers and dares them to run the business. Baxter persuades others to take him up on the challenge, and they elect Stevens and Morris to run the factory. Dickinson reluctantly agrees to let them run the business on condition that they pay him annually 5% of the capital value (about £120 a week).

Bland, Miss Cooper, the foreman, and several others quit, leaving the factory short of management. The absence of experienced leaders unsettles operations and tests the new worker-controlled lineup. Dickinson watches as authority is redistributed to the workers.

That night, Dickinson’s solicitor and doctor advise him to take a holiday and use the moment as an opportunity. They also advise Miss Cooper to return to work, hoping to stabilize the situation. The guidance underscores the fragility of the factory’s new arrangements.

A supplier changes its credit terms, triggering a financial crisis. The local bank manager refuses to extend a temporary loan, worsening the pressure on cash flow. Stevens travels to the bank's head office in the City of London to plead the case, but to no avail.

To avert collapse, Stevens and Morris put up deeds to their own homes, Palmer raises funds on his life insurance, and other workers contribute. After some grumbling, the group reaches the required sum to continue operations. The factory’s survival hinges on this risky, communal financing.

News coverage brings a Xenobian trade delegation seeking a demonstration of the 'one-way plough'. Miss Cooper invites Dickinson to attend, but he watches from a distance as the demonstration impresses the visitors. Xenobia orders 800 ploughs for £50,000, signaling a potential breakthrough.

With the Xenobia order looming, Adam pushes for focusing resources solely on the plough, risking long-time customers. Morris returns to the factory floor rather than abandon other contracts, while Adam takes his place as leader. The shift marks a pivotal reorganization of the workforce and management.

A few workers resist the new lower pay rate, triggering a mediation attempt by two trades union men. Baxter ultimately drops his objections, allowing the pay structure to proceed. The dispute tests the limits of the worker-run experiment.

Dickinson learns a steel supplier is delaying deliveries, threatening production. He visits Garrett, the supplier's managing director, who disapproves of the plough experiment. Dickinson hints that exposing sabotage in a newspaper article, with Garrett’s photo, would not be in Garrett’s interests, and the steel is delivered.

The Xenobian government suspends all outstanding import licenses due to foreign currency concerns. Dickinson returns to the plant and quickly finds other foreign customers to fulfill the orders, reversing the potential disaster. The immediate threat is averted.

Disaster averted, Stevens offers Dickinson his old position back. Dickinson accepts a lesser role and suggests Adam should be the managing director. Stevens leaves, saying he prefers to do real work.