Writer- Producer-Director Anthony Waller met Sir Alec Guinness quite by chance in Hamburg in 1985, where he asked him if he was interested in doing a one-scene cameo. To his surprise, Guinness said he'd be delighted and that he would do it for free. The problem was that Guinness was fully booked for the next eighteen months, so Waller suggested they shoot the scene the following morning in an underground car park. Guinness readily agreed and, true to his word, took no payment with the provision that he not be credited in the film or there be no publicity surrounding his involvement in it. This is why he is billed as "Mystery Guest Star" in the end credits.
Marina Zudina (Billy Hughes) did not speak English at the time, but as her character was mute anyway, she could still pose for an American.
Originally set in Chicago, Writer-Producer-Director Anthony Waller changed the location when told that Moscow would provide much cheaper sets and labor.
Shooting equipment for this movie was flown out to Moscow, whereupon it was immediately impounded by corrupt customs officials who demanded sixty thousand dollars in customs duty to release it. With a little diplomacy, a few thousand dollars, and a lot of vodka, the producers were able to free the equipment.