It portrays the life of Giovanni de' Medici, a celebrated condottiere of the sixteenth century.

The film received 9.6 million lire of funding from the Italian government,[1] as part of a major drive by the Fascist authorities to develop the Italian film industry (which also involved the construction of the large Cinecittà complex in Rome).

Along with Scipio Africanus, the film was an attempt to harness history to support the Fascist regime's current policies.

Condottieri drew parallels between the dictator Benito Mussolini and the historical figure of de' Medici, portraying both as unifying Italy.

[2] The film's elaborate sets were designed by Virgilio Marchi and Erich Grave, while Herbert Ploberger produced the costumes.