Robert De Niro was interviewed for the part of George Nelson, which eventually went to Richard Jordan.
The original version was around 3 hours, but was cut to 2 hours for its release, at the demand of the France producers. In 1983, Jutra restored the film to its original length, making his cut on video to fit the television medium, and it was thus broadcast on Quebec pay-TV.
Director Claude Jutra wanted to shoot a particular scene at dusk, with Geneviève Bujold naked and facing Doctor Nelson with an erection. But instead of asking Richard Jordan, who was playing Doctor Nelson, to do his professional duty to the end, Claude had him install a rubber erection that was secured to the actor by a belt. However, Claude wanted Geneviève to be naked for the shoot. Doubting the taste of the scene, and offended by the sexism she saw in Claude's attitude, Geneviève refused and left the set. As he wanted to film the scene from a distance, through the window, Claude asked a female crew member to lend her body for the much-desired shot.
Genevieve Bujold refused to accept her Canadian Film Award for Best Actress for her work in this film. She did so in an effort to stand by in support of the Quebecois crew who rallied against the unification of Quebec.
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