Anthony Asquith's film adapted from Terence Rattigan's play (by himself) is based on real events that took place in 1912. When young Ronnie Winslow (Neil North) is expelled from Naval College after being accused of stealing a postal order, his banker-father (Cedric Hardwicke) remains convinced of his innocence and risks everything to press for a re-trial with the assistance of a high-profile barrister (Robert Donat). By doing so the trial becomes a cause celebre and the family's social standing becomes precarious. The film drew wide acclaim for the quality of its performances and was remade in 1999 by David Mamet.