Although this is the short story's first screen adaptation, the story has been read nearly every Christmas Eve, or the Friday night closest to it, on CBC Radio One's radio show, "As it Happens" by Alan Maitland since 1979.
Based on book The Shepherd from Frederick Forsyth from 1976.
The film was shot at locations at the former RAF West Raynham, former RAF Sculthorpe, former RAF East Kirkby and Castle Acre.
The former RAF West Raynham was used for scenes portraying RAF Celle in Germany and the fictional RAF Minton in England.
A "batman" is a soldier or airman assigned to a commissioned officer as a personal servant.
Frederick Forsyth, who wrote the story upon which this film is based, flew Vampires during National Service in the Royal Air Force.