Joe Strummer was originally considered for the part of Myron, but his bandmates (in The Clash) nixed the idea. Strummer then recommended Tim Roth for the part, based on his appearance as "Trevor the Skinhead" in Made in Britain (1983). This movie was Roth's first theatrical feature, and granted him a BAFTA nomination for Best Newcomer.
Debut theatrical movie of Tim Roth (Myron) though Roth's earlier made-for-television movie, Mike Leigh's Meantime (1983), did get some theatrical releases.
When the gangsters break into song in court for a barroom-like rendition of the classic song "We'll Meet Again", just after snitch Willie Parker (Terence Stamp) squeals, according to moviemetropolis.net, "it actually happened to the real-life crook, on whom the film is loosely based."
The poem about the mortality of life that Willy Parker (Terence Stamp) quoted to Braddock (Sir John Hurt) was "Death Be Not Proud" by John Donne.
from Holy Sonnets by John Donne Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
from Holy Sonnets by John Donne Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.