It was directed by Riccardo Freda, who was unhappy with the film and had his name replaced with the pseudonym "Willy Pareto".

[8] The film's opening credits state it is based on the novel A Room Without a Door, by Richard Mann.

[10][11] L'iguana dalla lingua di fuoco was distributed theatrically in Italy by Euro International Films on 24 August 1971.

[12][13][14] From retrospective reviews, AllMovie wrote, "Stylish director Riccardo Freda gave Italy some of its greatest horror films.

This gory but preposterous giallo thriller is not one of them", calling it "one of a great director's most blatant misfires.