The last project produced by Rankin/Bass Productions.
The film was finished in 1983, but its television premiere was delayed several times, notably till July 1985 and to July 1987 for editing purposes.
Ratty's command of "Don't fire till you see the whites of their paws" was a play on an attribute to that of Revolutionary War Colonel William Prescott: "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes", with "paws" substituted for "eyes".