Exteriors of this movie were filmed on the Mediterranean coasts and islands, described in Homer's Odyssey.Filming also was to take place on the Greek island of Ithaca, but was canceled because of an earthquake.
The original director, Georg Wilhelm Pabst, quit at the last minute. Cinematographer Mario Bava co-directed the film without receiving credit.
Limbs for the 35-foot mechanical Cyclops were built and moved by wires and bellows. Museums in Rome, Naples and Athens loaned armor and weapons to the producers.
The film was released in both Italian and English language versions.Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn dubbed their own voices for the English language version.