The film had the working title of The Cats.[2] The credits of the film state that the film is an Italian, French and West German co-production.[2] Actor Dan van Husen stated that the film is actually an Italian-Spanish co-production with the initial title being Los Gatos.[2] The film was predominantly shot in Spain, with opening sequences shot in the United States.[2]
Release
The Cats was released in Italy as I bastardi on 30 October 1968 where it was distributed by Warner Bros.-Seven Arts.[1] The film grossed a total of 702,781,000 Italian lire on its theatrical run in Italy.[1] In 1969 it was released in France and West Germany on 25 May and 6 June respectively.[1][3] The film was released on the Warner Archive Collection on DVD under the title The Cats.[1]
Reception
A contemporary review in the Monthly Film Bulletin commented that the film was "no more than an updated Italian Western with all the familiar sadistic ingredients" and that "apart from a quite competently staged desert car chase, Duccio Tessari (who showed real flair in A Pistol for Ringo) directs as though he had never been behind the camera before"[4]
