The screenplay, written by George Lefferts, is based on a transcript of the trial of Jean Harris, who was convicted of murdering her ex-lover Herman Tarnower.
The film stars Ellen Burstyn as Harris, with Martin Balsam, Richard Dysart, and Peter Coyote in supporting roles.
[1] Principal photography began on March 20, 1981, meaning that the entire process, including casting and creating the 360-page screenplay from 10,000 pages of transcript, took less than eight weeks.
[1] John J. O'Connor of The New York Times praised Ellen Burstyn's portrayal of Harris, calling it "a thoroughly absorbing, incredibly modulated performance."
Harris was said to have felt that although the actress represented her sympathetically, it was also a portrayal that lacked the sharp edges and brisk exchanges of her eight days as a witness.