 Wyler's efforts at persuasion were successful, and Hawkins was cast on March 18, 1958.Hugh Griffith, who gained acclaim in the post-World War II era in Ealing Studios comedies, was cast as the comical Sheik Ilderim.Finlay Currie had worked with Zimbalist before on "Quo Vadis", playing St. Peter, was cast as Balthasar.