In an article for Video Watchdog magazine, actor Jan Merlin reports playing several of the star cameos in the movie, primarily Kirk Douglas when he is disguised in his various make-up. According to Merlin, Tony Curtis, Frank Sinatra (doubled by actor Dave Willock), and Burt Lancaster never appeared in the film proper and only shot close-ups for an epilogue peeling off their heavy make-up. Merlin used his experiences as the basis of a thinly-veiled novel about the filming of the movie titled 'Shooting Montezuma'.
Elizabeth Taylor was also offered a disguised cameo (as a grizzled sailor named Chesty) but declined the role after she realized how intense and painful the makeup would be.
Was partially filmed on John Huston's own estate in Ireland.
John Huston, who was an avid rider and hunter, appeared in a cameo role as Lord Ashton in a short dialogue scene in the last hunt.
The recurring musical motif for Kirk Douglas's character was essentially re-used several years later ( with only minor variation ) in two episodes of Hawaii 5-0 featuring Hume Cronyn as a thief who relies on a variety of elaborate disguises.