The film earned two Academy Award nominations for its score and original song, "So Little Time," composed by Dimitri Tiomkin . Reception and Modern Perspective

The production was massive, featuring a 60-acre replica of Peking built outside Madrid, Spain.

The dignified British ambassador who persuades the disparate nations to stand firm until reinforcements arrive.

Set in the summer of 1900, the film follows the 55-day siege where foreign diplomats, soldiers, and civilians from 11 nations were trapped inside Peking's diplomatic compound. They face overwhelming odds against the "Boxers"—a secret society aiming to expel all foreign influence from China—who have the tacit support of the . The narrative focuses on three core figures:

A stoic U.S. Marine commander leading the multinational military defence.

To cast 1,500 Chinese extras, scouts recruited from across Europe, leading to many Chinese restaurants in cities like London and Madrid closing for the summer as their staff worked on the film.

Upon release, the film received mixed reviews. While praised for its (shot in Super Technorama 70) and thrilling battle sequences, it was criticised for its historical inaccuracies and thin character development.