In the movie, security for the illegal medical experiments is provided by two supposed police officers named Hare and Burke. The names are a historical reference to William Hare and William Burke who supplied human cadavers to medical schools in 1820s Edinburgh, until it was learned that they were grave robbers and murderers.
Hugh Grant regarded the script as one of the best he had been offered at the time.
Marked the first production of partners Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley's short-lived "Simian Films."
Michael Apted felt the pressure of working for first time producers - Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley.
First of two collaborations between Hugh Grant and John Ventimiglia, the other being "Mickey Blue Eyes"(1999). Gerry Becker also appears on both movies.