Erich von Stroheim's films are noted for the richness of their characterization and detail. Indeed, the director lavished such attention on sets, costumes, props, and makeup that he constantly found himself battling with the studio's management (at Universal) over cost overruns on his pictures.

According to one well-known story, during the production of a certain war film, von Stroheim ordered the embroidery of authentic army-issue underwear for his extras to wear -- on the grounds that only then would they know 'exactly' how their real-life counterparts had felt.