This was originally scheduled for theatrical release in the United States. The release was cancelled and the film premiered, in edited form, as a TV-movie on U.S. network television. This edited version became the U.S. version used for television showings and video releases.
This film was shot in English. One of the reasons Japanese actor Satoshi (Tetsu) Nakamura was cast as Dr. Kawamoto was his excellent command of the English language.
This got a theatrical release in the UK on the second half of a double -bill with William Friedkin's " Sorcerer ".
This was the final film for Satoshi (Tetsu) Nakamura.