[1] It is set during World War II, during the period when Romania joined the Allies against the Axis.
During the course of the war, Lazăr forms a relationship with Silvia (Onesa), the daughter of General Marinescu (played by Nicolaescu himself).
Damage was committed during the filming, the worst being a fracturing of a marble cross given by Constantine Mavrocordatos, one of the monastery's founders.
The Leadership Council for Socialist Culture and Education forced the removal of a few key scenes: one involving violence committed by Hungarian soldiers; the removal of the Romanian Army from Budapest, on orders from Stalin, so that the Soviet Red Army could be the first to reach the Hungarian Parliament building; and the drama involving General Gheorghe Avramescu, who was accused by the Soviets of treason and was later executed (his daughter committed suicide while in detention).
[4] It was selected as the Romanian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 59th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.