Shooting began in 1939,[6] was interrupted in 1941;[7] filming resumed in Paris in May 1944[8] and some scenes were shot on location in Marseille in August 1944.[9]
The film's production was troubled for various reasons. On August 20, 1944, the actor Raymond Aimos,[10] who had one of the main roles in the film, was killed during the Liberation of Paris.[11] There was to film a few scenes that he should have appeared. The scenario was then slightly modified; the last scenes were shot in October and November 1944.
Martine Carol herself was a last minute substitute for an unknown actress who eventually declined the role; and Robert Le Vigan had fled to South America before filming was completed.[12][13]
Release
The film was released in France on August 29, 1945, almost exactly a year after Aimos' death.[14] The total number of admissions in France was 1,274,116.[15]
Reception
Le Nouveau Guide des films states that "Bifur 3 is not without its charms and gives an interesting account of the world of truckers."[16]
Bertin-Maghit, Jean Pierre (1980). Le cinéma français sous Vichy: les films français de 1940 à 1944 [French cinema under Vichy: French films from 1940 to 1944]. Collection Ça/cinéma, 21 (in French). Paris: Revue du Cinéma : Albatros. OCLC6689342.
Rège, Philippe. Encyclopedia of French Film Directors, Volume 1. Scarecrow Press, 2009.
