Robert Mitchum recalled that Richard Burton was drinking very heavily during filming and sometimes had to be carried onto the set.
Originally James Coburn intended to reprise his Cross of Iron (1977) role as Steiner, but he pulled out at the last minute and was replaced by Richard Burton.
The four stars--Richard Burton, Robert Mitchum, Curd Jürgens and Rod Steiger--were all felt by many reviewers to be too old to play soldiers.