Serving as an uncredited assisting cinematographer on this film was Gilbert Taylor, 23 years later the director of photography for Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). Also, the featured cast includes both Alex McCrindle and Eddie Byrne who in the iconic blockbuster would respectively play General Dodonna and General Willard, two rebel leaders on the Yavin moon base during the battle against the first Death Star. Dodonna is the one who greets Princess Leia upon her arrival, and Willard is the one detailing the attack to the fighter pilots, ending his talk with the first time anyone in the series ever said "May the Force be with you."
With a screenplay by Frank S. Nugent from a story by Maurice Walsh, the intention was to replicate the success the same team had with The Quiet Man (1952). There was even an attempt to obtain John Wayne for the lead.
Gudrun Ure had worked with Orson Welles before, having played Desdemona on stage to his Othello in London in 1951. The following year she dubbed Suzanne Cloutier in the same role in his Othello (1951).