The scene at the Reichstag in 1945 when the Soviet flag is planted on the roof is based on a real incident. The soldier helping the one holding the flag was indeed wearing several watches, but the captain taking the photo failed to see it. As newspapers around the world published the photo, Stalin became angry at the implications of looting by the Red Army so the scene was staged and photographed again. Today both versions exist but there is no clear evidence of who the soldier holding the flag is.
The film was banned in Russia shortly after receiving the screening license.
The novel Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith was directly inspired by the real life serial killer Andrei Chikatilo.
The first cut of the film was around five and a half hours long.