Directed by Robert Stevenson and written by Lawrence Edward Watkin, the film stars Albert Sharpe as O'Gill alongside Janet Munro, Sean Connery, and Jimmy O'Dea.

While chasing a púca disguised as Fitzpatrick's horse Cleopatra, Darby is captured by the leprechauns and taken to their mountain lair, Knocknasheega.

Darby tricks the leprechauns into opening the mountain and leaving by playing "The Fox Chase" on Brian's Stradivarius violin.

Darby escapes, and expecting Brian to pursue him, later engages him in a drinking game with a jug of poitín, allowing him to capture the leprechaun at sunrise when his magic has no effect.

Disney studied Gaelic folklore for three months at the Dublin Library and received input from seanchaithe (traditional storytellers) while developing the film.

Filming started on the Disney backlot in May 1958, though some location work was done at Albertson Ranch in the San Fernando Valley.

[13] Munro and Connery sing a duet in the film titled "Pretty Irish Girl",[14] apparently dubbing over vocals by Brendan O'Dowda and Ruby Murray,[15][16] which was released in the UK as a single in 1959.

[21] Charles Stinson of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "Being a Disney product, it is as technically perfect a job as can be had; the Technicolor, the camera work, the special effects, the Irish music, and all are a rich feast for anyone's eye and ear.

"[22] The Monthly Film Bulletin called the special effects "brilliantly executed", but found that "all attempts at Irish charm seem pretty synthetic, a notable exception being the playing of Jimmy O'Dea, who makes King Brian the most likeable and beguiling leprechaun yet to appear on the screen.

Filmink called it "one of Disney’s most enchanting live-action films of the 1950s, if not the most, and a great deal of that is due to the bewitching Munro.