Maria Michi's film debut.
Clara Calamai, the lead in Luchino Visconti's Ossessione, was Roberto Rossellini's first choice for the part later taken by Anna Magnani.
In the French-dubbed version a few characters were given Gallic names: Anna Magnani (Anne-Marie), Maria Michi (Monique Martin), Francesco Grandjaquet (François); Vito Annichiarico (Marcel), Carla Revere (Laurette), Nando Bruno (Augustin).
Rossellini used real Nazi POWs as extras for added realistic effect.