Robert Mitchum and Richard Widmark reportedly did not get along with Kirk Douglas because of his tendency to usurp control of the project from the director.
Lola Albright nearly drowned during the river crossing scene. The wagon she was in tipped over and she was trapped underwater when the contents of the wagon fell on her and pinned her down. When they finally got her out she was semi-conscious and spent the night in hospital. A day later she returned to the set, but they used a stunt woman to re-film the river scene. In interviews she has said she was deeply traumatized by this near-death experience.
There was a minor helicopter crash on the set.