It was directed by Curtis Bernhardt and produced by Sam Zimbalist from a screenplay by Karl Tunberg, based on the 1890 play Beau Brummell by Clyde Fitch.

The play was previously adapted as a silent film made in 1924 and starring John Barrymore as Beau Brummell, Mary Astor, and Willard Louis as the Prince of Wales.

The film stars Stewart Granger as Beau Brummell, Elizabeth Taylor as Lady Patricia Belham, and Peter Ustinov as the Prince of Wales.

It is here Brummell meets Lady Patricia Belham, who is accompanying Mrs. Maria Anne Fitzherbert, the mistress of the Prince.

Upon entering life outside of the Army, Brummell makes his criticisms known of the Prince publicly and his comments are published in the newspapers.

Brummell convinces the Prince to see his father, King George III, who has been mentally unwell in Windsor Castle to try and break the influence of William Pitt, the Prime Minister.

However, Lady Patricia finally decides to marry Lord Edwin and break with Brummell and, following Mrs Fitzherbert's decision to leave England, the Prince becomes more and more unhappy.

The Prince subsequently succeeds to the Throne as King George IV and plans a State Visit to France, where Brummell has fled, living penniless in very modest lodgings.

In March 1941, MGM said Clarence Brown would direct an adaptation of Fitch's play in London, starring Donat.

[7] In March 1951, MGM announced they would make a film from Fitch's play as a vehicle for Stewart Granger, who had starred in King Solomon's Mines (1950) for the studio and been signed to a long-term contract.

[10] In January 1953, Hedda Hopper announced the film would star Granger and Eleanor Parker who had just teamed successfully on Scaramouche.

[20] Some criticized this as being in bad taste as the film featured scenes depicting George III, an ancestor of the Queen, being insane.