Whisky Galore!

1943 wartime rationing leaves Todday's inhabitants gloomy as whisky runs dry. The isolation of the island magnifies the impact of the shortage on daily life. Rumors of a whisky cargo soon begin to lift the mood slightly, setting the stage for the events to come.

Sergeant Odd arrives back from the army on leave to pursue Peggy Macroon, the shopkeeper's daughter. He had previously helped establish the island's Home Guard, linking his personal arc to the island's wartime effort. The reunion catalyzes both romance and community tension.

Catriona Macroon becomes engaged to the meek schoolteacher George Campbell. Campbell's stern mother protests the match, foreshadowing family conflict and the pressure to conform. The engagement anchors a personal subplot amid the broader whisky crisis.

In a foggy night, the freighter Cabinet Minister runs aground near Todday and begins to sink. Its cargo reveals itself as 50,000 cases of whisky, transforming a shipping disaster into a potential windfall. The revelation triggers immediate plans and opportunistic chatter among islanders.

Two local men, the Biffer and Sammy MacCodrun, row toward the disaster to aid and learn about the cargo. They quickly discover the whisky cargo and spread the information across the island. The news ignites excitement and the possibility of salvaging value from the wreck.

Captain Waggett, the uptight English commander of the local Home Guard, orders Odd to guard the whisky. Macroon reminds everyone of the old custom, the reiteach, which requires whisky to seal a marriage, and Odd is effectively overpowered to enable salvage. The plan hinges on tradition rather than legality.

The locals put the ancient custom into practice and begin offloading the salvaged whisky. They hide the cases to avoid confiscation, working under the watchful eye of Waggett's men. The salvage marks a turning point as community resourcefulness outpaces official authority.

Campbell, who had been confined to his room, is persuaded to join the salvage through the window. He shows courage by rescuing the Biffer, who is trapped in the sinking freighter. The night's events empower Campbell to stand up to his mother and pursue his marriage.

The salvage exposes Campbell to a newfound resolve, and the whisky lends him courage to confront his domineering mother. He declares his intention to marry Catriona, regardless of parental opposition. The event mirrors the broader theme of personal liberty amid wartime constraints.

Waggett and his associate Farquharson search the island for the whisky, but forewarned islanders hide the bottles in ingenious places. They even stash some in ammunition cases bound for elsewhere. The cat-and-mouse game underscores the islanders' cleverness and resolve.

When the whisky is discovered in the hidden cases, Waggett is recalled by his mainland superiors to explain himself. The revelation leaves the locals triumphant and their ingenuity vindicated. Wartime constraints recede for a moment as a small victory is celebrated.

With the cargo secured and the authorities chastened, Todday's inhabitants feel a rare lift from the war's pressures. The community bonds strengthen as they outwit the authorities and preserve the whisky. The episode ends with a sense of resilience and mutual reliance.