The casting of the tall, blond, blue-eyed Chuck Connors as a Native American Indian was widely criticized even when the film was made in 1961.
Chuck Connors tried wearing brown contact lenses but said they hurt his eyes. It took two hours each day to apply his wig and make up so he would resemble a Native American Indian.
The ending of the film was widely criticized.
Chuck Connors, playing an Indian, has his hand marked by Mr Henry to indicate he's received his rations. He pulls his hand back in anger and says "I will not be branded like an animal!". Three years later, Chuck Connors would be playing a US Army cavalry officer in the TV show "Branded."