This movie was made and released about two years after its source novel of the same name by Alistair MacLean was first published in 1969. 'Puppet on a Chain' was MacLean's fourteenth novel and this movie was the seventh film adaptation of one of MacLean's stories.
One of two filmed adaptations of an Alistair MacLean novel made and released in 1971, the other was When Eight Bells Toll (1971). MacLean's novel 'Bear Island' was first published also in 1971.
In her memoirs Suzanna Leigh mentions that she had a role in this film as a villain but, although her character is mentioned, her scenes were deleted from the final print.
Some topless nudity and shots of a man's bloody face during a hotel fight was cut from the film for an 'AA' rating (suitable for persons of 14 and over) for the UK cinema release though this was restored in video releases and TV showings.
Producer Kurt Unger was unhappy with the finished version of "Puppet on a Chain". He hired director Don Sharp to film extra footage, specifically the boat chase through the canals of Amsterdam.
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