According to Richard Burton biographer Paul Ferris, Harry Salzman screened the film as a courtesy to Jack L. Warner, who put up the money for the picture. After a few minutes, Warner asked sarcastically what language they were speaking. When Salzman told him it was English, the studio chief replied, "This is America!" and walked out.
The film's backers insisted that a name actor be cast in the lead, over the unknown Kenneth Haigh who had been so successful in the stage version. Richard Burton agreed to take on the part at a much lower fee than his usual Hollywood salary.
Harry Salzman recalled it was "a monumental miscalculation" to have cast Richard Burton, who was "too old anyway" and "looked as if he could handle himself so capably that he'd lay anyone he hated out flat."
The film's failure was largely attributed to the miscasting of Richard Burton, since at 33 he was clearly too old and too obviously capable to play Jimmy Porter.