Alexander Mackendrick deliberately chose not to cast a real deaf-mute in the title role as he felt that they subconsciously always wanted to make it appear as if they understood what was being said to them, even when they didn't.
The fifth biggest film at the British box office in 1952.
Jack Hawkins always regarded this as one of his favorite films, believing it was a turning point in his career.
Mandy Miller was not hearing impaired, though many thought that she was, such was the believability of her performance.