Robert Duvall was originally offered the leading role. The studio rejected him; some say because they felt he wasn't right for the role, and others stated it was because he wasn't a bankable leading man. So, Conti replaced Duvall in the lead role.
Final theatrical feature film of movie distributor and production house Embassy Pictures who were formerly known as Avco Embassy Pictures. They disbanded shortly after this title was first released.
One of three comedy movies of actor Tom Conti, all first released in the year 1986, which had a biblical / religiously worded title. The movies are Um Divórcio Complicado (1986), Saving Grace (1986) and ''Heavenly Pursuits'' aka ''The Gospel According to Vic'' [See: Heavenly Pursuits (1986)].
Cast members, Fernando Rey and Giancarlo Giannini, have both also appeared in Pasqualino Sete Belezas (1975), A Grande Burguesia (1974) and O Deserto dos Tártaros (1976).
The film was made and first released about five years after its source novel of the same name by Celia Gittelson had been first published in 1981.