This movie was the first true independent production with the BBC. Keith Williams, BBC Head of Plays, Ronnie Marsh, the BBC Head of Co-Production worked with Producer David Wilkinson to pioneer the "Reverse Co-Production". The BBC provided the crew, equipment and post-production services. Wilkinson raised his funding from the Prudential Assurance, which paid for the actors, actresses, extras, screenplay, rights to the novel, music, and musicians. Colin Gregg Films then owned the copyright and world rights to the movie. The BBC had just two U.K. showings of the movie. It was one of four television movies nominated in 1983 for a BAFTA award.