The film was shot on many of the battle sites of the 1916 Mexican revolution, the period during which this film is set. A number of the older Mexicans hired as extras were former soldiers of Pancho Villa and others were one-time government troops who fought them.
During the shooting, there were many problems with the natives who thought the American crew wanted to steal their church and bring it to the United States. And Robert Mitchum's make up man was accused by the Mexican technicians of lack of respect towards them.
The film was a collaboration between Robert Mitchum's independent production company DRM Productions and Robert L. Jacks Productions and it marked Mitchum's first producing effort.
Opening Title Card: In 1916 war swept Mexico. Those who could fled north. At certain border stations they passed a reckless few headed south....adventurers, fools and fortune-hunters.