Filming was immensely problematic. Director Tony Richardson fired a stunt coordinator whose manic swordplay killed several horses. An earthquake destroyed the hotel used by the production. David Hemmings was extremely temperamental on-set. The crew and extras, many of whom were Turkish soldiers, fought verbally and physically with local villagers who resented their incursion into the area. Richardson's strange mixture of perfectionism and historical flippancy grated on both his crew and advisers. While filming the final battle, the soldiers were called away for a NATO war exercise, forcing Richardson to shoot the scene with only a few dozen stuntmen.
To preserve authenticity, no male actors used make-up, and actresses only used make-up that was available during the mid 19th century.
Unusual lenses and lighting effects were used throughout the movie to give it the feel of Daguerreotype and other older photographic processes, thereby giving the movie more of a feeling for the time.
By the time production finished, it was the most expensive British movie ever, and its tumultuous production generated negative press. Tony Richardson's refusal to screen the movie for critics (a rarity in that time), and insulting them in print as "intellectual eunuchs", helped ensure a poor reception.
In his memoirs, Tony Richardson mentions approaching Sir Rex Harrison to play Lord Cardigan. However, a newspaper erroneously reported that George C. Scott was being cast in the role. This news infuriated Harrison and he dropped out of the project, leaving Trevor Howard to be cast.