Bernardo Bertolucci freely admitted that he borrowed from the styles of the directors he admired, namely Roberto Rossellini, Luchino Visconti and Pier Paolo Pasolini.
Although coolly received in its native Italy, the film enjoyed considerable success abroad.
The title comes from a quote by 18th century French politician 'Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord' who said that those living before the revolution are the only ones to appreciate the full benefits of liberty.