- Al Pacino was helped by a school for the blind in his preparation for this role. He said that he made himself appear blind by not allowing his eyes to focus on anything.
- During the disciplinary meeting, Trask tells Slade 'You are out of order!', a line told to another of Al Pacino's characters in ...And Justice for All. (1979).
- Director Martin Brest disowned the version of the film shown on airlines and television.
- The scene on the street where Lt. Colonel Slade falls over a garbage can was actually unplanned.
- Nearly all of the hotel scenes were shot at night to avoid disrupting hotel business.
- Two choreographers, Jerry Mitchell and Paul Pellicoro, guided the dance scene between Donna and Col. Slade.
- According to his book, Chris Rock asked to audition for the part of Charlie but was turned down.
- Frank's bizarre habit of yelling "hoo-wah!" is an actual United States Army battlecry, although he is saying it wrong. He places far too much of a "W" sound on the second syllable. The real version is closer to "hoo-ah!"
- Scenes showing the audience the Baird School and depicting it as an all male boarding school were filmed at the Emma Willard School, one of the oldest all-female boarding schools in the country.
- Al Pacino would often remain in character off set, using his cane to walk with and never looking at anyone when they talked to him.
- Al Pacino and Gabrielle Anwar rehearsed their tango for 2 weeks. The scene took 3 days to shoot.
- Frank and Charlie's driver of the limousine is called Manny, as well as Manolo. Al Pacino's left hand in his movie Scarface (1983) was also called Manny, and Manolo.
>>> WARNING: Here Be Spoilers <<<
Trivia items below here contain information that may give away important plot points. You may not want to read any further if you've not already seen this title.
- SPOILER: It was reported that, in order to make Chris O'Donnell cry during Lt. Colonel Slade's near-suicide scene, Al Pacino had to take him aside and scream at him "drill-sergeant style".
Related Links
