It was produced by Stanley Rubin, directed by Robert Wise (his first color feature film), and stars Richard Widmark and Don Taylor.

The Navy created a meteorology command in order to provide accurate forecasts for operations in the Pacific War.

Wyatt and CPO Sam McHale are detailed to the most remote station in the Gobi Desert deep inside Inner Mongolia.

When the Mongols abandon the camp, the Americans, now alone and defenseless, begin to evacuate 800 miles east across the Gobi to the sea.

In return for his followers keeping their saddles, Kengtu offers to escort the Americans to the sea if they disguise themselves in Mongol dress.

McHale is awarded the Navy Cross, and Kengtu and Wali are flown in an admiral's transport plane to re-join their people.

[7] Gary Merrill, Richard Basehart, David Wayne, and William Lundigan were the actors that producers originally had in mind when the film was announced.