Martine Carol was not very impressed by her leading man, Van Johnson, and many years later, said that it would have been a better movie if the unknown Sir Sean Connery (who had a supporting role in it) had been cast in Johnson's part.
The title comes from William Shakespeare's "Henry V", in the king's speech to his followers at the siege of Harfleur: "In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility, But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger..."
Sean Connery admitted to disliking the film, calling it "garbage." However, he enjoyed working with Terence Young.