Producer David Lewis first acquired the film rights to Graham Greene's novel in January 1952 with Gregory Peck and Jean Simmons as possible leads. Then in March 1952 MGM bought the rights from Lewis. Finally in February 1952, producer David E. Rose acquired the rights with a deal in place for Columbia to distribute the picture.
Shot June 29 to September 10, 1954.
Gregory Peck agreed to play Bendrix on condition that Graham Greene wrote the script. Greene, unsure Peck was suitable, declined; the part was then given to Van Johnson, whom the author thought "a disaster".