The film is about an expatriate Irishman who comes home to claim a bride. The story bears many resemblances to Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. The village of Cong in County Mayo was the setting for the film, and many of the houses used during the shooting can still be seen.

The film was something of a departure for Wayne and Ford, who were both known mostly for their Westerns. It was also a departure for Republic Pictures, which was given the chance to back Ford in what was considered a risky venture at the time. It was the first time the studio, known for low budget B-movies, put out a film receiving an Oscar nomination.