Discussing how well DVD copies of this movie (about a gay British artist) were still selling in 2012, Sir Derek Jacobi commented, "that's because there are some scenes in which Daniel Craig is stark-bollock naked."
Several of the extras, including Daniel Farson and Sandy Fawkes, were real-life acquaintances of Francis Bacon.
Director John Maybury said in an interview that Malcolm McDowell was his first choice for the part of Francis Bacon. McDowell was interested, but he backed out the evening before signing the contract.