During the opening sequence of the show, the crash shown is actual footage of a crash of the M2-F2 experimental lifting body that was part of the research that eventually led to the development of the space shuttle.
The traditional bionics sound effects are not heard in this film as they wouldn't be introduced until the series began (though some prototype sounds can be heard during Austin's run in the desert). There is also a minimum of slow motion photography used, though this became the show's trademark.
Stock footage from "Le cerveau d'acier (1970)" is used in this film. Notice just before Steve goes into get his bionics attached, the warm-up of the computers is the scene where Colossus was activated.
Based upon the Martin Caidin novel "Cyborg", this was the only film adaptation of any of Caidin's original four "Cyborg/Six Million Dollar Man" novels. The remaining three: "Operation Nuke," "High Crystal," and "Cyborg IV," were never adapted by the television series.
Steve Austin is referred to as a civilian astronaut. In the subsequent series, Steve is a Colonel in the Air Force.