Interviews with Farrah Fawcett stated that during filming they really slapped each other just like they did on stage to simulate reality. Also, in the source off-Broadway stage production, they had to have guards on hand because the violence would be so real audience members would try to jump up on stage and help Fawcett.
Lead cast members, James Russo (Joe) and Farrah Fawcett (Marjorie), played their respective roles in the off-Broadway production prior to the film.
Lead actor James Russo, who played Raul in the film, in 1983 was the winner of a Theatre World Award for his performance as this character.
Susan Sarandon was the original actress who originated the character of Marjorie in its first stage production off Broadway in late 1982. Then Farrah Fawcett replaced her. Wikipedia states that Fawcett ''...later took over the role, establishing herself as a serious actress.''
Farrah Fawcett first took over from Susan Sarandon in the role of Marjorie in the source stage play "Extremities" (1982) where she played a rape victim who turns the tables on her rapist. That, in turn, led her to her major comeback, when she starred in the searing story of a battered wife in The Burning Bed (1984), which was based on a true story. It garnered a very large audience and critics gave her the best reviews she had ever received for her heartfelt performance. She was nominated for both an Emmy and Golden Globe and also became involved in helping organizations for battered women. She tried to continue her momentum with a starring role in this feature film adaptation of 'Extremities', and while she garnered a Golden Globe Best Actress - Drama nomination, this picture itself was not a hit at the box-office.