Based on the mesmerizing novel MEMORIES OF A MEDICIAN: JOSEPH BALSAMO, written by the French writer Alexandre Dumas father in 1846-48.
The novel was adapted for the wide screen and transformed into a historic film-noir by the British playwright, screenwriter and director Charles Bennett with help by the American journalist and prolific screenwriter Richard Schayer.
Directed by the Russian -and later, American- actor and producer Gregory Ratoff (Grigory Vasilyevich Ratner, of Jewish descent, he left Russia in 1917) with collaboration by Orson Welles in the direction.
Produced by Gregory Ratoff, the Italian journalist and writer -of Jewish descent- Dario Sabatello & the prolific American agent and producer -with Prussian and Austrian origins, of Jewish descent- Edward Small (Schmalheiser).
The film was shot entirely in Italy.
It is the first collaboration between Orson Welles and Akim Tamiroff.