Jay Cocks first gave his friend Martin Scorsese a copy of Edith Wharton's novel in 1980. At the time, he told Scorsese, "When you do that romantic piece, this one is you." It took Scorsese seven years to finally get around to reading the book.

The three lead actors - Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder - were all Martin Scorsese's first choices for the parts.

Sir Daniel Day-Lewis checked into the Plaza Hotel as "N. Archer" and lived there for 2 weeks wearing clothes suitable to his film character as research for Newland Archer.

Director Martin Scorsese had said that this is the "most violent" film he's ever made, an obvious reference to the emotional versus physical states of being. Ironically, for a director who is well known for over-the-top violent fare like Taxi Driver (1976) and Goodfellas (1990), this film happens to be Scorsese's first to earn a "PG rating" since New York, New York (1977).

The film is dedicated to Charles Scorsese, father of director Martin Scorsese, who died just before the film was completed. He and his wife Catherine Scorsese (the director's mother) have cameo appearances in the scene at the station.

Tamasin Day-Lewis: at the Beauforts' ball, standing to the right of Winona Ryder and admiring her engagement ring just before Archer approaches and bows. The sister of Daniel Day-Lewis is better known as the author of a series of cookbooks.

Martin Scorsese: the photographer taking May's wedding picture.