Boetticher left Hollywood at the height of his success to make a film about Arruza.
[3] Boetticher spent the first three years filming bullfights with Lucien Ballard and Carlos Carbajal.
[2] During filming, Boetticher fought with the Mexican government and unions; ran out of money twice (once in 1961); was evicted from hotels; and put into prison and a sanatorium.
[2] Jason Robards performed the initial narration but another version features Anthony Quinn.
[2] The film had an official world premiere on May 22, 1971, in Tijuana, Mexico,[2] close to the fifth anniversary of Arruza's death.