As of 2016 it was included in the #100 Serbian movies list (1911-1999) and protected as cultural heritage of great importance.
The Malkoc family are Bosnian Muslims, which is why the boys are being circumcised at their age. The Petrovic family are Serbs, while Ankica Vidmar and Franjo are Croats (probably Catholic). The Liakhovs are Russians, exiled because of their opposition to Stalin.
This film has a 100% rating based on 7 critic reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
Posthumously listed as one of Akira Kurosawa's 100 favorite films.