The film's release was delayed for two years and was not shown in Britain until the Spring of 1963, when it was released as the lower half of a Hammer Films double-bill with Maniac (1963). It had been cut by Hammer (against Joseph Losey's wishes) from a length of 96 minutes to 87 minutes and was cut further to 77 minutes when it was finally shown in America in 1965. However, the missing footage has been fully restored to the film for the DVD and Blu-ray versions and for 21st-century television showings.
Although submitted to the BBFC in 1961 the UK release was held back by almost a year after director Joseph Losey delayed making a requested censor cut which showed King beating Wells with his umbrella. Losey eventually made the cut and the film was released in 1963.
The children's names are Victoria, Elizabeth, Anne, Mary, Richard, Henry, William, George, and Charles. These are all names of queens and kings of England.