The film was a pet project for producer Margaret Fink who took six years to raise finance. The bulk of the money came from a pre-sale to
Greater Union and from UA. Fink had been impressed by
Stir and asked Stephen Wallace to direct.
Fay Weldon wrote some early drafts but neither Fink or Wallace were happy with them so Wallace did the adaptation himself.
Peter Strauss was originally cast to play James Quick but was replaced by
Sam Neill.
Geneviève Picot was tentatively cast in the lead role but it took two years to raise the money by which time it was felt she was too old so she was replaced by Helen Buday, who had only made one film previously. ==Reception==