Director Luchino Visconti intended the title roles to be played by Alain Delon and Romy Schneider. But Delon was under long-term contract and the $1,000,000 that his producers wanted to release him was considered too much, and Schneider was pregnant at the time, so Visconti had to work with Laura Antonelli and the little-known Giancarlo Giannini.
The final film directed by Luchino Visconti; he died of a stroke before it was released.
Luchino Visconti had tried to secure Julie Christie's services for the Laura Antonelli part.
Jennifer O'Neill's voice was dubbed into Italian by another actress.
Luchino Visconti wanted Charlotte Rampling for the female lead.
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