Before Peter Medak was given the job, two British directors were considered; Tony Richardson declined due to creative differences.
Was the first film to win Best Picture in the Canadian Film Awards after its name was changed to "Genie" Awards.
The movie is based on events which supposedly took place at a house in Denver, Colorado, in the 1960s. The "Chessman Park" neighborhood in the movie is a reference to Cheesman Park in Denver, where the original haunting transpired.
French censorship certificate: -13.
Finnish certificate # 88322 delivered on 11-6-1980.