The film is based on David Walker's 1950 novel of the same title, adapted for the screen by Launder and his co-producer Sidney Gilliat.

By the time Geordie turns 21, he has grown into a tall, fit man who continues to follow Samson's long-distance instructions.

He takes the train to London, where he finally gets to meet Henry Samson, who has come to see him off when he boards the ship for Australia.

When they reach Melbourne, Geordie goes sightseeing with Helga before the games, buying a highly unusual hat for Jean.

A problem arises: Geordie insists on wearing his late father's Black Watch kilt in the opening ceremony, something he had promised his mother he would do.

However, Jean hears on the radio that Helga has rushed up, embracing and kissing Geordie in front of everyone in the stadium, and she is heartbroken.

The film was going to be directed by Sidney Gilliat but he was caught up with post production problems on The Constant Husband due to colour stock so Launder stepped in.

[3] The Times' poetic reviewer found the film to have "gracious and decorous atmosphere; the steep hills have stamped themselves on everyone's imagination, so that the story-telling is not flat, the dialogue never airless.

The earth is beneath us, the sky above, and to receive messages from both and to interpret them is the splendidly authentic figure of Mr. Alastair Sim's Laird".