The character of Forster is referred in the film to as 'Obergruppenführer'. That means he is in the SS leadership (equivalent to a 3-star general in the army). This naturally explains why the army general on board cannot simply pull rank on him and why the majority of the crew is willing to obey his commands over those of the other officers. Most reviews erroneously describe him as either Gestapo (whose head would be at least one rank below that) or high (civilian) Nazi party official (who would not be referred to by rank).
The character of the newspaper editor is believed to be based on Robert Brasillach, the real-life editor of Je Suis Partout, who was also a film historian.
Marcel Dalio, who plays Larga, also played the uncredited role of the croupier, Emil, at Rick's club in the legendary Casablanca (1942).
Finnish censorship visa register # 028952.