The plot for this film was suggested in the political science book, Coup d'État: A Practical Handbook (1968) by Edward N. Luttwak.
This was Peter O'Toole's first film since completing his role as Tiberius in Caligula (1979) two years previously in 1976. According to director Martyn Burke, he was "really despondent about appearing in that film".
Donald Pleasence was suffering from an illness during filming and had difficulty remembering his lines.
Alberta Watson's debut,