 "Dangerous Liaisons" was the first English-language film adaptation of Laclos's novel.The screenplay was based on Christopher Hampton's Olivier Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated theatrical adaptation for the Royal Shakespeare Company,<ref></ref> directed by Howard Davies and featuring Lindsay Duncan, Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson.The film was shot entirely on location in the Île-de-France region of northern France, and featured historical buildings such as the Château de Vincennes in Val-de-Marne, the Château de Champs-sur-Marne, the Château de Guermantes in Seine-et-Marne, the Château du Saussay in Essonne, and the Théâtre Montansier in Versailles.<ref></ref>

"Liaisons" was the final film appearance of Academy Award and Tony Award-nominated actress Mildred Natwick.<ref name="trivia"></ref> Drew Barrymore auditioned for the role of Cécile, and Sarah Jessica Parker turned it down before it was offered to Thurman.