Brinke Stevens auditioned for the role of Heather, alongside good friend Linnea Quigley, who ended up getting the role instead. Brinke actually drove Linnea to the audition.
The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) demanded a total of 24 minutes worth of cuts to the film before its release in the UK. At the time, the BBFC had a virtually zero tolerance to sexual violence, and the use of a crossbow.
During the film's premiere in New York City, Linda Blair made appearances at both the RKO Warner and the Loews Orpheum to meet fans and give away soundtrack albums and photos.
Arrow Video released the movie on DVD, fully uncut for the first time in the UK in 2011. However, many of the copies were destroyed in a fire at a warehouse during the London riots in the same year. This DVD is now considered rare and is highly sought after by collectors.