Protagonist Eliezer Gomes (Tião Medonho) was an ambulance driver with no former acting training. He was chosen over 300 candidates.
The film uses many actual locations concerning the robbery: the actual site of the train heist (Japeri, near Rio de Janeiro); the Coelho Neto bridge (the shootout); the favela of Mangueira; the police headquarters of Lapa; the actual house that Tião Medonho bought after the robbery etc.
Based on a real train robbery that took place in Brazil.
Debut of actress Dirce Migliaccio.
Gracinda Freire's debut.