The movie was adapted by S. N. Behrman, Sonya Levien, and John Lee Mahin from the novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz. It was directed by Mervyn LeRoy.
It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Leo Genn), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Peter Ustinov), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color, Best Cinematography, Color, Best Costume Design, Color, Best Film Editing, Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, and Best Picture.
Sophia Loren has an extra's role as a slave girl. It was her first film role. Elizabeth Taylor also has a cameo.