Quiz

Scriptwriter Jeremy Larner used to write political speeches for 1968 presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy.

The role of Senator Crocker Jarmon was originally offered to James Stewart, who turned the part down because he felt it was derogatory towards conservative politicians.

Robert Redford originated the project and personally hired Michael Ritchie to direct it as he had worked as a technical adviser on various political campaigns.

Groucho Marx has an uncredited walk-on cameo in what would be his last screen appearance.

Robert Redford and Michael Ritchie had recently worked together on Gli spericolati (1969), when they approached Jeremy Larner together wanting to make a movie about "a candidate who sold his soul." According to Larner: "Warners would not have financed the film were not Redford willing to take responsibility for it, and though he did not want the credit, he was a most conscientious producer from beginning to end, and the movie certainly reflects his personality."