The director got word of Mel Gibson's performance in Mad Max (1979) and cast him in this film. This film was shot while Mad Max was still in post production.
When Piper Laurie's character comes outside to read while Tim is working in the yard, the book she is reading is "The Thorn Birds", written by Colleen McCullough, the same author as "Tim". When Tim joins her for tea he asks if the book is any good, and she responds that it is very interesting.
Writer/director Michael Pate was so impressed with Piper Laurie's performance as the title character in '_Ruby (1977)_' that he sought her out to star as Mary Horton in this film.