Is ranked #87 on the British Film Insitute's top 100.
Both Oliver Reed and Alan Bates were initially apprehensive about filming the legendary wrestling scene due to insecurity over who had the largest "member". Eventually, after both actors got drunk, compared sizes and realized there was little difference between the two, filming continued with relative ease.
The nude wrestling scene posed problems for UK censor John Trevelyan, and the film was only passed after Ken Russell made some edits to the original print to reduce full-length shots of Rupert and Gerald standing motionless before the wrestling begins and to darken shots of sunlight streaming into the room. After the edits were made, the film was granted an uncut 'X' certificate.
Michael Gough was cast after shooting had begun when it was decided that the actor originally given the role was miscast.
According to Larry Kramer in his book, "We Must Love One Another or Die: The Life and Legacies of Larry Kramer", both Faye Dunaway and Vanessa Redgrave were approached to play the role of Ursula.
In 1971, United Artists successfully reissued this film in the USA on a double bill with the similarly steamy Midnight Cowboy (1969).
Carol White turned down the role of Ursula, despite being reportedly offered £10,000 to play the role.
Some of the characters in this movie, and the novel it's based on, are based on real-life people, mostly members of the "Bloomsbury Group" which whom D. H. Lawrence was acquainted. For example, Loerke was based on painter Mark Gertler, and Hermione is a very unflattering portrait of Lady Ottoline Morrell, who was upset over this novel that she ended her friendship with Lawrence and never spoke to him again.
Glenda Jackson was pregnant throughout the shoot. In referring to her nude scenes, she said she'd never had such a "wonderful bosom."