 The special effects in the film were achieved via practical methods, such as the stabbing sequences, which were shot using a fake retractable knife designed by Sole's friend, an engineer.The film premiered under the title "Communion" at the Chicago International Film Festival in the fall of 1976, where it earned a Silver Medal award.Columbia Pictures signed on to distribute the film in the United States, and secured a book tie-in by author Frank Lauria, which was eventually published in 1977 by Bantam Books.