Shot in 16mm, mostly on the Grand Union Canal, the film depicts a gritty and authentic aesthetic that perfectly captures the bleak, industrial landscape of the waterways. The film explores themes of apathy, isolation, and the search for meaning in a world that can often feel overwhelming and meaningless.

Hugh Symons played Samuel Prendergast in his 1964 film The Prendergast File, created by canal enthusiasts Denys Gueroult, Geoffrey Hart, Peter Kendrick and Beryl Symons.