Glen Byam Shaw filmed his part over a four day period
Phyllis Neilson-Terry worked two days.
S.P. Kapoor filmed his role in five days.
Jane Eccles shot her part over a period of six days.
Alfred Lynch was initially cast in another part.
Claire Bloom was the first to be cast.
Stanley Van Beers worked two days.
Charles Saynor worked two days.
John Dearth shot his part in five days.
Steven Scott worked two days.
According to Burton biographer Paul Ferris, Salzman screened the film as a courtesy to Jack Warner, who put up the money for the picture. After a few minutes, Warner asked sarcastically what language they were speaking. When Salzman told him it was English, the studio chief replied, "This is America!" and walked out.
Although this was the first "kitchen sink drama" to go into production, it was beaten to release by the similarly themed Room at the Top.
For a play noted for its firebrand dialog, there ironically is none for the first 6 minutes in the film version.
Harry Salzman recalled it was "a monumental miscalculation" to have cast Burton and who was "too old anyway" and "looked as if he could handle himself so capably that he'd lay anyone he hated out flat."
Initially Harry Saltzman was opposed to the idea of Tony Richardson directing the film version as he had never directed a film before. John Osborne insisted on Richardson as he had been responsible for the theatrical version but Saltzman's opposition led to the film's original backers, J. Arthur Rank, pulling out of the deal. Osborne of course ultimately got his way.
Producer Harry Saltzman was an avid fan of the play. He urged John Osborne and Tony Richardson to set up Woodfall films with a remit to make realistic homegrown movies. Look Back in Anger was their first production.
The character of Ma Tanner was only referred to in the play, never seen. For the film version, she was brought vigorously to life by Edith Evans.
The film's backers insisted that a name actor be cast in the lead, over the unknown Kenneth Haigh who had been so successful in the stage version. Richard Burton agreed to take on the part at a much lower fee than his usual Hollywood salary.
The film's failure was largely attributed to the miscasting of Richard Burton, since at 33 he was clearly too old and too obviously capable to play Jimmy Porter.