The English actors were puzzled by Rod Steiger's method acting. Bernard Lee had particular problems with it but director Ken Annakin liked the animosity between the actors as it fit with the characterizations.
This was one of Rod Steiger's favorite performances, though he was most proud of his work in The Pawnbroker (1964).
Rod Steiger insisted on two weeks of rehearsal so that he could fully get to grips with the nature of his character.
The dog was credited in the main titles as "Dolores", the name of the character. It was found in a dogs' home in Liverpool. Its trainer gained enough publicity from the film that he was able to set up the Dolores Dog Home.