Trivia

Tilda Swinton's debut.

It marks as the first time Sandy Powell provided the costume design for a feature film. Powell was a huge fan of Derek Jarman's work and one day she decided to call him asking to work with him. After this experience, they worked together in four other films: The Last of England (1987), Jarman's segment in Aria (1987), Edward II (1991) and Wittgenstein (1993).

The movie includes many anachronisms. This is a reference to Caravaggio's work which often included deliberate anachronisms.

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.

Michael Gough was fourth choice for the role of Del Monte.