Gary Oldman was once pulled over and charged with drunk driving in 1991. Incidentally, Kiefer Sutherland was his passenger that night.
Despite having the most graphic violence of the series, as well as the highest profanity count; World at War was shipped as a BBFC 15, Whereas most other Call of Duty games ship with a PEGI 18 rating.
This game features references to some famous fictional film privates. In the opening mission, you see a Pvt. Pyle, who was a main character in Full Metal Jacket (1987) Pvt Pyle's nickname is from Gomer Pyle. You also have to try and save Pvt. Ryan, a reference to the plot of WWII film Salvate il soldato Ryan (1998) and it's titular character.
As of January 2009, is the only Call of Duty game not to feature the British, excluding spin-off games. They did however, feature in the PS2 version of the game, titled "Final Fronts", where they replaced the Russians.
The game is dedicated to "All the WWII veterans who gave their lives in the protection of liberty".