Trivia

Toshiro Mifune was 35 years old when he played the role of a 70 year old.

The original Japanese title, "Ikimono no kiroku," is literally translated into "Record of A Living Being."

This was Kurosawa's first film to lose money during its initial release.

This film was one of two that Toho had produced at this time about the threat of nuclear disaster and damage from radiation poisoning - the other film was "Godzilla."

The music score was completed by Masaru Satô when composer Fumio Hayasaka died during production.