Director Victor Salva first became familiar with the work while in prison for child molestation. He credits the original story as "a story that changed my life".
In the opening dream sequence, Dan is wearing a uniform with the traditional UC Berkeley colors (blue and gold) and the script Cal logo. The opposing team wears red, the color of Stanford, Cal's arch rival since the late 19th century.
When Dan Millman is seen lying on top of the old car outside of the gas station, the letters "SM" are spelled out on the top of the car with rocks which are the initials for the actor who plays him but also the initials of the actor's mother. (Scott Mechlowicz).
In the crash sequence, all of the car's windows remain intact. Yet Dan lands in a shower of safety glass chunks.
Mark Amin: producer appears as a service station customer in the car while Dan is 'holding the pose.'