Russian TV networks have shown this film on 12 April (the anniversary of first man in space) every year since 1973.
Estimated budget in today's economy is over US$100 million. All Soviet movie industry was part of the government which employed all actors, crew and staff and also provided all equipment, transportation, accommodation and special effects for the movie - including numerous rocket science sites and actual launches of Soviet space rockets at several top secret locations, such as Baykonur Kosmodrome in Kazakstan, Space centers in Crimea, Ukraine, OKB 1 and OKB 3 Space labs in Samara and Saratov and Gagarin Space center near Moscow.
Brezhnev and top Red Army commanders had several private screenings in 1971 before the film was allowed to be released.
Actual launches of Soviet space rockets were filmed in 1970 and 1971 at Baykonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Original director's cut had 5,500 meters of film length with runtime of almost four hours. But after censorship and various consultancy demands it was reduced to 4,553 meters, runtime - 166 min. Next reduction occurred with video release. Current video version is reduced to only 158 min.
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