In this romantic adventure, Gregory Peck plays the Canadian Second World War pilot, haunted by the death of his wife, who regains his confidence via a love affair and a bungled combat mission in Burma. Adapted by Eric Ambler from the novel by HE Bates, this is quite a classy production, directed by Robert Parrish, impressively shot by Geoffrey Unsworth in the jungles of what was then Ceylon and produced by John Bryan, who was David Lean's gifted art director on Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. At times the picture anticipates Lean's own Bridge on the River Kwai, shot in Ceylon a few years later.

An RAF airfield in Burma in 1945, during World War II. Canadian bomber pilot Bill Forrester is a bitter man who lives haunted by a tragic past. He has became a reckless warrior, and is feared by his comrades, who consider him a madman. Dr. Harris, the squadron physician, is determined to help him heal his tormented soul.