 Although both Sam Peckinpah and Budd Boetticher had expressed interest in bringing Ken Kesey's novel to the screen, Richard A. Colla was signed to direct the film in May 1970.Five weeks after principal photography began, Colla left the project due to "artistic differences over photographic concept", as well as a required throat operation.At the same time, leading man Paul Newman broke his ankle, and the production shut down As co-executive producer, Newman considered replacing Colla with George Roy Hill, who declined the offer, so when filming resumed two weeks later, Newman was directing as well 

The fictional community of Wakonda was filmed in various locations in Lincoln County along the Oregon Coast.