Interviews with Farrah Fawcett stated that during filming they really slapped each other just like they did on stage to simulate reality. Also, in the source off-Broadway stage production, they had to have guards on hand because the violence would be so real audience members would try to jump up on stage and help Fawcett.
Lead cast members Farrah Fawcett (Marjorie) and James Russo (Joe) played their respective roles in the off-Broadway production prior to the film.
Farrah Fawcett first took over from Susan Sarandon in the role of Marjorie in the source stage play "Extremities" (1982). That, in turn, led her to her major comeback, when she starred in the searing story of a battered wife in Das brennende Bett (1984), which was based on a true story. It garnered a very large audience, and critics gave her the best reviews she had ever received for her heartfelt performance. She was nominated for both an Emmy and Golden Globe and also became involved in helping organizations for battered women. Fawcett tried to continue her momentum with a starring role in this feature film adaptation of 'Extremities', and while she garnered a Golden Globe Best Actress - Drama nomination, the picture itself was not a hit at the box-office.
Lead actor James Russo, who played Raul in the film, in 1983 was the winner of a Theatre World Award for his performance as this character.