Franklin Schaffner, qui venait de terminer  PAPILLON se lança dans le film l'ile aux adieux ceux qui avaient aquit les droits pensaient donner le rôle principal à George C. Scott, avec lequel Schaffner avait tourné PATTON. Mais Paramount lui préféra Steve McQueen - la vedette de PAPILLON, qui accepta puis inexplicablement refusa - et Paul Newman, qui suggéra de prendre plutôt George C. Scott. Celui-ci n'étant pas libre, on proposa le rôle à John Wayne, qui n'aima pas le script. Finalement, on revint vers George C. Scott qui, bien que décidé à prendre sa retraite après l'échec de THE SAVAGE IS LOOSE, dont il était le producteur, le réalisateur et le principal acteur, accepta à la lecture du scénario.

Franklin Schaffner, which had just finished papillon launched out in the film islands in the stream those which had aquit the rights thought of giving the principal role to George C Scott, with which Schaffner had turned PATTON.  But Paramount to him preferred Steve McQueen - the high-speed motorboat of papillon, which accepted then inexplicably refused - and Paul Newman, who suggested taking George C Scott rather.  This one not being free, one proposed the role with John Wayne, who did not like script.  Finally, one returned towards George C Scott which, although decided to take its retirement after the failure of THE SAVAGE IS LOOSE, of which he was the producer, the realizer and the principal actor, accepted with the reading of the scenario.