Linda Blair accepted the role hoping the producers would cast then-boyfriend Rick Springfield to star alongside her; after Martin Sheen was cast, Blair admits to "falling madly in love with him", although no real-life affair ensued.
The dress that Linda Blair wore in the film was similar to the dress she wore to the 46th Academy Awards in 1974.
Originally featured as part of ABC's "Friday Night Movie" series.
Linda Blair told Femme Fatales magazine in 1999 that this was her favorite film of hers.
The film has endured criticism from contemporary and modern-day audiences for its portrayal and alleged glamorization of Stockholm syndrome, ephebophilia, domestic abuse, and kidnapping of a teen-aged girl. Others have argued that the "kidnapping" was more of a "rescue" for Doris Withers and that she was better off with Leonard Hatch who, despite kidnapping her, went to great lengths, to educate her, guide her, and (for the most part) remained respectful of his boundaries with her in contrast to her life on a dirt farm with abusive parents who overwork and overbear her with hard labor. As well as for allowing her to not pursue an education.