This movie was part of a campaign against death penalty in France that took place in the 1970's. Director José Giovanni was sentenced to death in 1945 right after the war and was pardoned by the then French president. Ten years later, after completing his sentence he became a writer, screenwriter and movie director. Death penalty was finally abolished in France in 1981.
Lino Ventura and Yves Montand turned down the part of Germain Cazeneuve before it was proposed to (and accepted by) Jean Gabin.
Christine Fabrega and Cecile Vassort portray mother and daughter but are actually only 10 years apart in age.
Italian censorship visa # 63590 delivered on 29-11-1973.