Trivia

Part of the film was funded by artist Willem de Kooning who donated one of his paintings which was then sold at auction.

This was screened in Sweden on national TV at prime time, aired over two nights. As part of the transmission, some of Sweden's more influential politicians were asked to watch the film and discuss it afterwards. Ultimately this led to legislative change in Sweden over the treatment of animals.

Following its successful screening at the London Film Festival, Britain's fourth TV channel, Channel 4, which was due to launch that autumn, bid to have the film air on its first week of transmission. When it did air, it attracted over a million viewers, a significantly high figure for such a niche channel.

Elvis Costello says he was moved to reject meat after seeing this film which also helped inspire his song "Pills and Soap" from 1983's Punch the Clock.

Source: The New Yorker Interview from 2010/11/08 "Brilliant Mistakes"

The original 1981 edition was lightly edited and released on DVD in 2007.