Directed by Alexander Hall, the film also stars Doretta Morrow, James Whitmore, and Bobby Van.

The rest of his platoon as well as the company commander disapproves of Batterson's showing favoritism to Rossano by excusing him from normal training.

This resulted in some challenges for both the wardrobe artists and the film editors who had to deal with Lanza's substantial fluctuations in weight over the course of production.

Dore Schary, MGM studio head at the time, has recounted Lanza's petulant and boorish behavior on the set, which included the brazen sexual harassment of co-star Doretta Morrow.

Lanza had requested Lana Turner as his leading lady, but producer Joe Pasternak insisted on casting an actress who could sing.

[1] It was the fifth most popular movie at the British box office in 1953,[3] and was chosen for the inaugural Royal Command Film Performance of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.