The producer of the film added film of The Rolling Stones performing the completed version of "Sympathy for the Devil" at the end of the movie in an attempt to make it more commercial. Jean-Luc Godard was so incensed by this that he punched the producer during a talk at London's National Film Theatre.
Director Jean-Luc Godard was called to England to make a film calling for the legalization of abortion. Shortly after his arrival, though, England relaxed its abortion laws, and his film became unnecessary. Godard agreed to remain in England on the condition that he could make a film with either The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. The Beatles declined the offer, but the Stones promptly accepted, claiming they were avid fans of Godard's work.
When Godard punched producer Iain Quarrier at the National Film Theatre in London, the manager of the building, Mike Wessens, interceded in an attempt to prevent any further violence, only for Godard to aim a punch at him as well. Wessens, a former army officer, defended himself vigorously, with the result that Godard fell off the NFT stage, to the great amusement of the 597 paying customers who observed the fisticuffs. Before leaving, Godard announced he would later be showing the proper version of the film outside, projecting the image onto the wall of a bridge. Despite their fist-fight, Mike Wessens lent him a projector (free of charge) so that he could do this.
The film was beset with a variety of production difficulties; among other things, the studio burned down and Brian Jones was arrested for cannabis possession.
During the course of the film, the lyrics of the song. 'Sympathy for the Devil', change from "Who killed Kennedy?" to "Who killed the Kennedys?", reflecting the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy whilst the film was being made.
Jean-Luc Godard: In the final scene, Godard can be seen running on the beach in a blue raincoat and a white tennis hat. He pours red paint from a bottle onto Anne Wiazemsky, before she is lifted by the crane in the final shot.
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