Richard Gordon's novel sold very well in America and was optioned by Paramount. John Michael Hayes wrote a first-draft screenplay, making the central character American, not British; the plan was that it become a vehicle for Spencer Tracy. However, the studio dropped the idea and the film rights were snapped up by the Rank Organization. The script went through a number of changes, and both Bryan Forbes and John Whiting claimed they were disappointed with the final movie.
The ship used in the long-shots (and some deck exteriors) was the SS Oronsay built in 1951 for the Orient Line. One of her sister ships fulfilled the same role in Carry on Cruising (1962).
In fact the ship in this film is the SS Orsova, built in 1954. Filming took place at Tilbury Docks and some deck footage was filmed on board, but the interiors are Pinewood creations (as are some of the deck scenes).
Debut of actress Heather Downham.
June Jago's debut.
Opening credits: All characters and events in this film are fictitious. Any similarity to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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