The whole film was shot twice; there is a French and an Italien negative, that can be distinguished by details in editing and content (watch the position of the dog during the procession for example).
Gino Cervi was originally cast as Don Camillo. When a suitable actor to play Peppone couldn't be found, it was decided to cast Fernandel as Camillo and for Cervi to inherit the Peppone role.
A huge box office success in both of its native countries, Italy and France.
The top-grossing non-US film of 1952.