In the end credits, one can see that one of the works of art used in the film is from the collection of Cary Grant. As Grant would pass away the same year of the film's release, 1986, this would be one of his last screen credits.
Debra Winger actually left the powerful Hollywood agents CAA agency (Creative Artists Agency) over this film. Winger allegedly felt that since all the major cast and crew members were with CAA at the time, they did not hire the best people, they hired only clients who could get the film made.
The script for this movie started out as a documentary on the battle over the estate of artist Mark Rothko.
When the judge instructs the clerk to call the next case, the clerk announces the "State of New York vs Christian Clemenson". Christian Clemenson is in fact the actor playing the clerk.
Steven Hill, who plays New York District Attorney Bower for this film, would later play New York District Attorney Adam Schiff in the TV series Law & Order (1990).