The film is based on a play by Herman Heijermans written in 1900, which was the source for three earlier movie adaptations: a silent Dutch movie in 1918, a silent German re-make in 1924, and a Dutch re-make with sound in 1934. Unique to this version is that Mrs Bos (Willeke van Ammelrooy), the wife of the ship's owner, is a bigger influence on her husband, and a romance between her daughter Clementine (Tamar van den Dop) and sailor Barend (Danny de Munk).
The song "Naar de ratsmodee" (Dutch slang for "To damnation"), which can be heard when Barend (Danny de Munk) finds a washed-up coat on the beach, is performed by De Munk himself.
The sinking of "De Hoop" was filmed especially at Pinewood Studios, England.