The movie was adapted by Lawrence B. Marcus and Richard Rush from the novel by Paul Brodeur. It was directed by Richard Rush.
It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Peter O'Toole), Best Director and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.
The film plays with the audience's perceptions by constantly switching between events occurring in the "real world" and those happening in the movie being filmed on-screen, usually with no transitions.