Alain Delon's performance in the film earned him the first and only César of his career, winning as Best Actor. He was previously nominated on two other occasions (in the 1970's) for the French equivalent of the Oscars. However, he never received the award. At the 1985 Césars, presenter Coluche accepted the award on Delon's behalf and kept it with him. But after the comedian's death (in 1986), the award was nowhere to be found.
About the fight scene, Bertrand Blier said he gave up trying to choreograph it when Alain Delon offered to take it over and ended up organizing it all, for the great pleasure of Blier who confessed that the actor had more experience and know-how in this area: he is smiling and very grateful in the documentary Blier, Leconte, Tavernier: trois vies de cinéma (2020) when he describes the director's skills of Delon in this scene.