De Soto refers to "Damon and Pythias" in describing his relationship with the group of five soldiers. Damon and Pythias are figures from Greek legend that are used to demonstrate the meaning of true friendship. Damon trusted Pythias so much that he was willing to put his life on the line. This theme is echoed in the relationship between de Soto and Alvarez.
One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since. Its initial television broadcast took place in Boston Tuesday 28 October 1958 on WBZ (Channel 4); it next aired in Milwaukee Tuesday 28 April 1959 n WITI (Channel 6), in Pittsburgh 23 September 1959 on KDKA (Channel 2), in Seattle 24 September 1959 on KIRO (Channel 7), in Denver 2 October 1959 on KBTV (Channel 9), in Omaha 13 November 1959 on KETV (Channel 7), in Toledo 16 November 1959 on WTOL Channel 11), in Johnstown 24 November 1959 on WJAC (Channel 6), and in Los Angeles 6 February 1960 on KNXT (Channel 2). It was released on DVD 8 July 2016 as part of the Universal Vault Series.
According to a contemporary article in the New York Times, this was the first feature film involving the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
According to the film's press book, some scenes were filmed at Cecil B. DeMille's Spanish-style bungalow on the Paramount studio lot. The famed director also has a cameo as a member of a crowd.
The 20,000 pesetas the Baroness pays Michael for his pass would equal about $1,210 at the time or around $21,640 in 2018.