Joseph Strick was originally hired to direct but was fired after refusing to cast anyone but Glenda Jackson in the lead role. He was replaced by George Cukor.
Anouk Aimee couldn't bear being without her lover and future husband Albert Finney during location shooting and wanted to leave. Director George Cukor persuaded her friend Omar Sharif to convince her of the dire consequences for her career if she did. Although Sharif failed, Finney was able to convince her to finish the film.