This film is based on the real-life Royal Navy cadet George Archer-Shee (1895-1914), the alleged theft took place in 1908 and the trial in 1910. Archer-Shee was commissioned in the British Army in 1913 and was killed in WWI at the First Battle of Ypres on October 31, 1914.
H.H. Asquith, the Prime Minister whose name is mentioned several times throughout the film, was the father of the film's director Anthony Asquith.
Neil North who plays Ronald -the Winslow boy - in this 1948 version also plays in the 1999 remake of the film, but this time as the First Lord.
The film's screenplay adds the trial scenes, which all take place offstage in the play. The role that Francis L. Sullivan plays was added for the film.
The play's London premiere in 1946 featured Emlyn Williams as Sir Robert, Mona Washbourne, Angela Baddeley, Kathleen Harrison, Frank Cellier, Jack Watling and Clive Morton. It was under the direction of Glen Byam Shaw. The original Broadway production opened at the Empire Theater on October 29, 1947 and ran for 214 performances. It featured Frank Allenby as Sir Robert, Alan Webb as Arthur Winslow, and Valerie White as Catherine Winslow.