When this movie first appeared, the direction was credited to Victor Hanbury, a real-life Producer, who only agreed to take the credit when the actual Director, the blacklisted Joseph Losey, insisted that this would be a great help to him, as he needed the work. Although several versions of this movie, including the DVD, still credit Hanbury, there are prints where Losey is credited under his own name. The first several times it was shown on British television, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Losey had the credit.
The first of five films in which Sir Dirk Bogarde was directed by Joseph Losey.
Cinematographer Harry Waxman launched into a tirade of abuse at Director Joseph Losey, when, after returning from the toilet, found that the set-up for a scene had been changed, lamps moved in breach of movie set etiquette.
The writers of the film were, like director Joseph Losey, blacklisted in Hollywood, and required to work under pseudonyms. They were greatly helped by the support of the film's American leading lady, Alexis Smith. Losey came to regard this film as his weakest British movie, but nonetheless had some fondness for it, as it started his career in British films and introduced him to Dirk Bogarde, who would work with him many times subsequently.