The footage was culled from several different shows. In order to minimize the amount of cameras in the frame, one show was shot completely from one side of the stage, and the next night was shot from the other side.
The movie is notable for being the first made entirely using digital audio techniques.
Director Jonathan Demme wanted to shoot additional performance footage on a soundstage made to re-create the Pantages Theater. The band vetoed this idea because they thought the lack of audience response would have hindered the energy of their performance.
Has been called the best concert film ever made by Leonard Maltin, Pauline Kael, and music critic Robert Christgau.
David Byrne's staggering during the latter part of "Psycho Killer" was inspired by Fred Astaire in Boda real (1951) during the song "I Left My Hat In Haiti".