The first cut of the film was about four hours long. Emir Kusturica gave Johnny Depp a copy of the version.
Although filmed in 1991, the movie didn't see a U.S. release until 1994.
Filming ultimately took up to a year, with a three month hiatus, while director Emir Kusturica recovered from a nervous breakdown.
The backing music used in the 'dinner party' scene between Axel (Depp), Paul, Elaine, and Grace is a piece by jazz musician Django Reinhardt. The same piece was used in the "river dance" scene in Le chocolat (2000), where it is performed on guitar by Johnny Depp.
The music video for the 1991 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers song "Into the Great Wide Open" was shot during the filming of the movie. Johnny Depp and Faye Dunaway both starred in the video.