The first showing of the movie after World War 2 was on the 19th September 1977, 40 years after release, on Bavarian Televsion.
The black dressed mercenaries of Giovanni resemble the blackshirts of the Mussolini movement.
The young Giovanni was portrayed by Ferdinand Trenker, the son of Luis Trenker, who not only co-wrote and co-directed the movie but also played the adult Giovanni.