A mentor once told me the only things that motivate are fear and greed. Despite not getting any respect from pedigreed scientists and hardboiled businessmen, Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness) is a man with a mission. The uncredentialed chemical engineer doggedly persists in the development of a revolutionary invention by hook, crook and deception. But as always, politics rears its ugly head, vested interests take sides and the man in the white suit becomes the man in the middle.