Sam Elliott, Tom Selleck, and Jeff Osterhage wanted to do another western together after they did The Sacketts (1979). They contacted that film's writer, Louis L'Amour and asked him to write a story idea for them. This film was the result.
In the book, the descriptions for Mac and Dal are flip-flopped.
Ben Johnson and Harry Carey Jr. were part of John Ford's stock company and became good friends. They appeared in several movies together including "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon"and "Rio Grande". But they did not share any scenes in this film.
Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross play boyfriend and girlfriend in this movie. They became husband and wife in real life, marrying on May 1, 1984.