David Cronenberg wrote the film following the tumultuous divorce and child-custody battle he waged against Margaret Hindson. Cronenberg also said that Samantha Eggar's character, Nola Carveth, possessed some of the characteristics of his ex-wife.
Oliver Reed was arrested by the Canadian police during the production of this film after he made a bet with someone that he could walk from one bar to another without wearing clothes in freezing cold weather.
One of Oliver Reed's personal favourite films that he made. He said that it was the best script he had read since The Devils (1971).
Although Art Hindle gets third billing, he's the main character.