This movie had a major influence on Sergio Leone, who worked with director Robert Aldrich on Sodom and Gomorrah (1962).
Although Joseph Cotten brought all his own food and water from the States to the shoot in Mexico, it was to no avail. He was the first of the film crew to get sick.
Rock Hudson drew unstinting praise from director Robert Aldrich, who was enormously impressed with his lack of ego and sheer professionalism.
Kirk Douglas' relationship with director Robert Aldrich got off to a rocky start, as Aldrich arrived in Mexico with five other writers who were all working on his upcoming projects. Douglas was incensed that Aldrich's full attention was not directed towards this movie, so insisted that the writers be dispatched back to Hollywood. The relationship between the two men remained cool after that.
Filming of the cattle drive proved problematic as the bulls would frequently be seen mounting the cows.