 Federico Fellini (qv) had considered Henry Fonda (qv) for the  part of Steiner. But, after the refusal of the American actor, his  choice was pending on Alain Cuny (qv) and  Enrico Maria Salerno (qv). He was helped by the advice of  Pier Paolo Pasolini (qv), who favored Alain Cuny (qv).