Jean-Louis Trintignant agreed to play in a spaghetti western under the condition that he did not have to learn any lines for the role. That's why the main character conveniently became a mute in the story.
Jean-Louis Trintignant had agreed to do the film in order to help out the producer, who was a friend of his.
According to "Once Upon a Time in the Italian West" by Howard Hughes, Silence's distinctive rapid-firing pistol is the 1896 7,63 mm Mauser Broomhandle.
Remade as a Japanese Samurai TV series starring Shintarô Katsu (1973).
Silence kills eleven people in the film.
The downbeat ending was suggested by lead actor Jean-Louis Trintignant as shooting was about to wrap.
The snow in the town of Snow Hill was created by gallons of shaving cream.
Twenty people die in the final massacre.