Robert Wise's first color film.
Willis Bouchey was originally signed to play "Capt. Briggs," but he appeared as "Capt. Gates".
A January 20, 1952 Los Angeles Times article speculated that Richard Basehart, William Lundigan, David Wayne and Gary Merrill were going to be cast in the film.
Nixon and Fallen, NV were both used as location sites, and Piute Indians residing on a reservation in Nixon played Mongol extras.