John Houseman was originally cast to play Dr Compton but had to back out because of illness and died a few months later.
Hume Cronyn, who plays James F. Byrnes in this film, previously played Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer in The Beginning or the End (1947).
At the time this film was made, Michael Tucker and Richard Dysart were well-known for their roles in L.A. Law (1986).
The film cast includes three Oscar nominees: Hume Cronyn, Hal Holbrook and David Strathairn.