This version's soundtrack theme is partly based on the Irish song "Mna Na hEireann (Women of Ireland)," originally composed by Sean O'Riada.
The film's title came about because the Samuel Goldwyn Co. threatened to sue Paramount, as it owned the rights to the title via the 1939 film. Upheld by the Motion Picture Association of America, Goldwyn was legally permitted to fine Paramount $2,500 every time it neglected to add the Emily Brontë prefix to the title of their version.
The role of Heathcliff opened up doors for Ralph Fiennes to play Amon Goeth in La Liste de Schindler (1993). Steven Spielberg claimed he liked Fiennes for Goeth because of his "dark sexuality."
Ralph Fiennes insisted on keeping a scene from the book in which Heathcliff bangs his head against a tree, pining for Cathy. He did it so sedulously, that he drew blood.