Just after filming ended Burt Lancaster nearly died during a routine gall bladder operation in January 1980, requiring multiple blood transfusions.
Henry Fonda, James Mason, Laurence Olivier, James Stewart and Robert Mitchum were all considered to play the lead role of Lou. Fonda was rejected due to ill-health and its associated insurance risk. Reportedly, when the producers saw that Mitchum had had a face-lift recently, they lost interest. Mitchum had said to them: "I just had my face lifted, and I only play under 45 now.". Director Louis Malle once commented on Burt Lancaster's reaction to the lead role: "Burt had read the screenplay and the first thing that he said was, 'A part like that, especially at my age, happens every ten years, if you're lucky.' He knew it was a great part and I really appreciated that he understood that right away.".
The relationship between Burt Lancaster and director Louis Malle was very difficult, according to Lancaster's biography.
It was widely believed that Burt Lancaster would have won the Oscar for his performance in this film, were it not for Jane Fonda's aggressive campaign to win the award for her father Henry Fonda's final film performance On Golden Pond (1981).
Lou mentions thousand-dollar bills. The Federal Reserve began removing these and other high-denomination bills from circulation in 1969. They are now worth far more than their face value because of their rarity.
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