The filmmakers intended to shoot in South Africa as early as October 1986, with permission from select prominent figures, including Oliver Tambo and Winnie Mandela. After interviewing Mandela, the production crew was placed under surveillance by the South African security police and followed everywhere. They were eventually forced to leave South Africa. Also, the South African Broadcasting Corp. (SABC) deliberately misinterpreted producer/director Richard Attenborough's decision to shoot the movie in October, and instead broadcast the "news" of his starting a revolution sponsored by Russia.
Denzel Washington was cast as Steve Biko after producer/director Richard Attenborough saw him on an episode of St. Elsewhere (1982).
Lew Wasserman, the head of MCA/Universal, told Richard Attenborough to "clear his shelves of his Oscars" for Gandhi (1982), as he was sure this movie was going to sweep the board at the Academy awards and in fact, pre-release test screenings resulted in many positive audience reactions. However, the film proved to be a disaster at the US box office and consequent!y failed to receive any nominations in any of the major Oscar categories, except Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Denzel Washington.
Filmed in Zimbabwe, rather than South Africa, due to the political unrest there at the time.