Executive Producer Harry Saltzman had wanted to make a movie about Nijinsky for many years, first attempting to produce a version in 1970 with partner Albert R. Broccoli. The movie was started, but was never finished, it being cancelled by Broccoli and Saltzman. It is known as Nijinsky: Unfinished Project (1970). It starred Rudolf Nureyev, was written by Edward Albee, and directed by Tony Richardson.
Mikhail Baryshnikov, who had appeared in Director Herbert Ross' previous ballet movie Momento de decisión (1977), turned down the lead role of Vaslav Nijinsky in this movie. Instead, Baryshnikov returned to the American Ballet Theatre and took up a promotion in the senior position of Artistic Director.
Romola Nijinsky was basically a stalker, who pursued Vaslav Nijinsky for years before tricking him into marriage.
Final theatrical movie of Alan Badel (Baron de Gunzburg) depending whether one counts Shogun (1980), which got a theatrical release in some territories.