The Germans who shoot at Almásy's plane at the beginning were actually tourists roped into the production because they couldn't afford any more extras.
Ralph Fiennes' burn make-up took five hours to apply every day. Fiennes insisted that the full body make-up be applied even for the scenes where only his head would be filmed.
Dame Kristin Scott Thomas was cast after writing a letter to writer and director Anthony Minghella, which included the statement "I am 'K' in your film."
Juliette Binoche knew she wanted to be in this movie the minute she read the scene where Kip Singh shows Hana the fresco paintings on the walls of a church.
Originally, Twentieth Century Fox was to finance this movie but disputes arose between the studio and the producers over casting. In particular, Fox preferred a more well-known actress to play Katharine Clifton instead of Dame Kristin Scott Thomas. Demi Moore was lobbying particularly hard for the role. After the producers refused to give in on a series of casting choices, Fox backed out of the movie, and the project was uncertain just as production was about to begin. Within a few weeks - during which the cast and crew stayed on in Italy without knowing if this movie would be made - the movie was picked up by Miramax Films.