Sigourney Weaver stated that one of the reasons she wanted to play the "Evil Queen" role was for never having actually understood why the King would be so "stupid" to marry such a cruel woman, "not just unpleasant" but also a killer, so she wanted to provide a stepmother with the best intentions of being a mother in this film.
Lilli's actual medical condition from the poisoned apple is called "locked-in syndrome," in which she is "imprisoned" within her body, remaining aware and awake but cannot communicate verbally or move the body except for the eyes. (Claudia describing the condition: "You can see, and you can hear, but from inside the tomb of your mind. No breath will escape your lips, no tears your eyes. To the world, you are dead... But you, my dear, you will have all eternity to remember.")
This film was originally slated for theatrical release but wound up debuting on Showtime in the U.S.
The large oak cabinet containing the mirror was made in Suffolk, England. The carved figure on the doors with the hands that interlaced when the doors were closed were carved by Master Carver Nick Webb.