Despite being one of Britain's most well-loved films, this was apparently hell to make. Director
Henry Cornelius was vetoed on most of his first choices--
Dirk Bogarde turned him down, as did
Claire Bloom--and he was forced to make it at studios he didn't want to work at. Cornelius' displeasure was acutely felt by cast and crew, as he didn't hide how unhappy he was. He was also apparently quite lecherous--both
Dinah Sheridan and
Kay Kendall carried whistles on them at all times in case they ever found themselves alone with him.
Olive Dodds, Rank's head of contract artists, later testified that every leading cast member came to her at one point and said they wanted off the film.