The film was originally to be shot on location in both India and Pakistan but India refused to grant a filming permit. As a result, principal photography was done in the U.S.A. - principal players never left Hollywood while second unit filming was shot on location in Pakistan only. Doubles filled in for the main cast in the long shots and whatever other scenes that were needed.
Lana Turner confessed in her autobiography that she did not appreciate Richard Burton on the set of the film.
This is a remake of the 1939 black-and-white film "The Rains Came", also made by Fox, directed by Clarence Brown.
The main theme of the soundtrack was lifted from Glazunov's Violin Concerto in A minor.