The day before production started on this film, June 8, 1994, Pierce Brosnan was being introduced to the press as the new James Bond at the Regent Hotel in London. He was already sporting his Robinson Crusoe beard.
Filmed in 1994, copyrighted in 1996 and released overseas in 1997. Never released theatrically in the U.S., nor in the UK.
It was originally made as a U.S. television film for Hallmark in 1994. Miramax then bought the rights to capitalize on Pierce Brosnan being named the latest James Bond, with a plan to distribute it as a theatrical release. It was finally released on television in the U.S. in 2001.
Pierce Brosnan was asked to stay on an extra few days past the original filming schedule. He was offered more money, but instead requested, and was given, a Porsche 911 Carrera.
The real Robinson Crusoe Island (which this is based off) is not known to have ever been inhabited by any Aboriginal races, unlike with most other Pacific Islands. This film places the island near New Guinea, and as such the native characters are depicted as having black skin, which is typical of islanders from around that area. The real Robinson Crusoe Island is much closer to Polynesia's Easter Island, whose natives have lighter skin than the ones depicted in this film.