According to Charlton Heston's published diaries, "Charlton Heston: The Actor's Life; Journals 1956-1976" he wanted Julie Christie to be his co-star, but she was vetoed by the studio.
The original theater release prints had 'Richard Boone' reciting a poem over the procession before the end credits began. This scene was removed from the prints and replaced with an almost identical scene with no recitation.