The original screenplay was written by Christoph Fromm but the producers disagreed with his more realistic direction and had it rewritten. Consequently, Fromm took his name off the film.
The "336 Pionier-Bataillon" was a historical unit that also fought in Stalingrad in the "336. Infanterie-Division". The battalion arrived at Stalingrad on the 8th of November 1942. The division was disbanded in 1944.
The soldiers at the award-ceremony receive the "General Assault Badge".
The Cinema Version is 132 Minutes long, the 'Director's Cut' is 4 Minutes longer