Quiz

Originally released in a version in which all scenes were suffused with the color gold and one object in each scene (such as a rose) appeared normally colored. This was done in reference to the houseboy's statement regarding the golden peacock in a drawing that he shows to Alison: he states that the world is just a reflection in the eye of the golden peacock. However, that version puzzled audiences so it was withdrawn and a normal color version released. The DVD issued in 2020 by Warner Archive includes both versions.

The role of Major Penderton was physically demanding. Thus, the insurance company underwriting the production required proof that Montgomery Clift - the original choice for the role - was fit enough for the role after his years of illness. Clift's long-time friend Dame Elizabeth Taylor committed her large salary as insurance in order to secure Clift for the role. However, Clift subsequently died of a heart attack before filming began, and the role went to Marlon Brando.

In the scene where Major Weldon Penderton gives a lecture on leadership, a subject for which he is ill-suited, Marlon Brando asked producer and director John Huston for another take after delivering what Huston considered to be a superb performance. In the second take, Brando delivered a different line reading that was equally brilliant. When it came time to cut this movie, Huston was baffled over which of the takes to use, as each was superb and relevant to the character.

John Huston wanted Carson McCullers, the author of "Reflections in a Golden Eye", to write the screenplay for the movie version, but she was too ill.

In the Turner Classic Movies documentary on Marlon Brando, Martin Scorsese talks about the scene in which Brando stands in front of a mirror talking to himself as he inspects his dress uniform. He says that it inspired the infamous "Are you talkin' to me?" moment with Robert De Niro for Taxi Driver (1976).