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Although the film was made between July and October 1951, it was not released until 1953 due to director Stevens ' extensive editing.

The film cost so much to make that at one point, Paramount negotiated its sale to Howard Hughes, who later pulled out of the arrangement.

The studio felt the film would never recoup its costs, though it ended up making a significant profit.

Another story reported that Paramount was going to release the film as " just another western " until Hughes watched a rough cut of the film and offered to buy it on the spot from Paramount for his RKO Radio Pictures.

Hughes ' offer made Paramount reconsider the film for a major release.