The real-life Charles Bronson threatened to sue the production, saying he didn't want "his personal family problems turned into someone's melodramatic entertainment". The producers countered that his late wife Jill had given her blessing to allow the film to be made shortly before her death and threatened to counter sue. Bronson eventually backed off his threat, but still vehemently voiced his disproval of the film.
At the time of the film's release, the real Charles Bronson voiced loud opposition to its airing.