Because the UK government deemed the script to be prejudicial to British interests, it refused to cooperate. Therefore, all British troops were portrayed by Australian troops who were, at the time, running operations along the Malaysian-Thai border.
Filming was delayed when actual squatters took up residence in the Chinese squatter village set. After their removal, filming resumed and the Chinese squatters stayed to watch. When the village is torched, crying and wailing can be heard. This wasn't from the Malay extras but from the real squatters who just lost their new home.
Capucine was cast as Dhana due to her romantic relationship with executive producer Charles K. Feldman. Her casting was initially opposed by William Holden, producer Karl Tunberg and director Lewis Gilbert. They were overruled by Feldman. Later in the shoot Holden began an affair with Capucine, much to the displeasure of Feldman.
Michael Keon, the author of the book the movie is based on, was the former brother-in-law of Ferdinand Marcos, former president of the Philippines. He was also reportedly a personal friend of Zedong Mao.
Durians appear in this film as danger signs three ways: 1) Dhana is arrested when a grenade is found in a hollowed-out durian. 2) Candace surrenders herself to Ng at a durian tree. 3) Ng plans to execute Candace near another durian tree. In Malay, "durian" means "thing with thorns". They kill and injure many people each year when they ripen and fall on unwary heads.