The film, which stars Dirk Bogarde and Jon Whiteley, was directed by Philip Leacock.

The adaptation was filmed both at Pinewood Studios near London and in Palamós nearby Mas Juny estate, as well as in S'Agaro, on the Costa Brava, Catalonia.

British diplomat Harrington Brande takes up a minor provincial consular post in Spain.

Nicholas sees it as an adventure, and soon becomes friends with the teenage gardener, José, spending time every day helping him with the plants and relaxing together.

Similarly, he refuses to let Nicholas join a youth group organized by a junior colleague.

While Harrington is away on a business trip, the drunken Garcia, the butler/ chauffeur, threatens Nicholas with a knife and tries to break into his bedroom and the terrified boy takes refuge overnight with Jose with whom he has again been spending time.