The first of four films that John Payne and Rhonda Fleming made together, the others being Crosswinds (1951), Tennessee's Partner (1955), and Slightly Scarlet (1956).
Foreword: Taking advantage of the civil war between the States, Napoleon III sought to establish Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico. This story is laid against this historical struggle in the year 1863.
While the characters are purely imaginary, the incidents motivating the story are true.
Jess Arnold's original story was titled "A Mission for General Houston." The working title of this film was Below the Border. According to Hollywood Reporter, the exteriors for the film were shot on location in Sedona, AZ.