This film is a compendium of the facts and fiction of the events leading up to the disaster. For dramatic effect, Sabotage was chosen as the cause, rather than electricity lashing out at a couple of tons of hydrogen.

A real-life tragedy nearly happened during the filming of the Hindenburg's fiery death. A full-scale section of the Hindenburg's nose was built for the film, and was set to be destroyed by fire for the film's final destruction sequence. A half-dozen stunt artists wearing fire-retardant gear were placed in the nose replica as it was set afire; however, the fire quickly got out of control, causing several stunt artists to get lost in the smoke, damaging several cameras filming the action, and nearly destroying the sound stage. Some of the footage from this sequence was used in the final cut of the film, but the full sequence, as it had been planned, was not included.

Colonel Franz Ritter:
We're all gonna die! Where's the bomb!

Factual errors: On the Hindenburg's final voyage, its famous baby grand piano was not aboard. Nonetheless, halfway into the movie, there is a very funny scene with Joseph Spah performing while it is being played.

Written by David Shire, Edward Kleban
Performed by Peter Donat, Robert Clary