The novel was inspired by Matheson's own experiences as an 18-year-old infantryman with the 87th Infantry Division in Germany in World War II.

[1] When Universal wished to "lighten" Matheson's screenplay, they had Jonathan Daly write a comedy relief scene of chasing a duck through a minefield.

[1] The film was released as a double feature with Rosalind Russell's Rosie!

[2] In Europe, 1944, a group of replacements are assigned to Sgt Cooley's squad and sent into battle.

Initially frightened, Hacker grows to love killing but loses that feeling as well.