The story is loosely based on that of Adelaide Bartlett, who, in 1886, went on trial for the chloroform poisoning of her husband.
The movie is known in different English language territories by three different English language titles. These are: "Shocked", "Mesmerized" and "My Letter to George".
In a paper article entitled "Actors choose direct protest" published on 21st June 1984 in New Zealand's Auckland Star, the newspaper reported: "Actors Equity will consider direct protest action against the $1.5 million film production Mesmerised for its use of five overseas actors [...] Actors Equity president Mr John McDavitt said many actors were angry that New Zealanders had been deprived of work in those roles. He considers only Foster [Jodie Foster] was famous enough to give the film extra box office attraction overseas [...] 'The producer ('Tony Ginnane') isn't the slightest bit interested in us - he casted the American actors without even auditioning Kiwis. The company is just 'using' New Zealand'".
According to Helen Martin in the book 'New Zealand Film 1912-1996' by Sam Edwards and Helen Martin, "the film was shot mainly in the Bay of Islands and, although there were New Zealanders in the cast and crew, Actors' Equity was angered by the number of Americans in the cast and picketed the Auckland offices of Challenge Corporate Services, the film's backers, and threatened to disrupt the shoot. The film was distributed by RKO. It had a limited theatrical release but was not screened theatrically in New Zealand. It was released on video world-wide and has screened in many territories".
Because of the union disputes which resulted in producer Antony I. Ginnane moving the production of Treasure of the Yankee Zephyr (1981) from Australia to New Zealand, Ginnane made four of his next five pictures there, they being Prisoners (1983), Mesmerized (1985), Strange Behavior (1981), and Second Time Lucky (1984).