Alfie Premiered in London on 24 March 1966.
Bill Naughton adapted his 1963 play for the screen, and Lewis Gilbert directed. Terence Stamp offered to play the lead at a reduced fee but Gilbert insisted that Stamp perform in the Broadway stage version first. That production flopped and Stamp backed out of the film. Michael Caine was then cast. Rachel Roberts also had to drop out at the last minute (due to her father's illness) and was replaced by Vivien Merchant.
The theme song (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David) was sung by Millicent Martin in the UK release, but replaced by Cher for the US version. The soundtrack featured Sonny Rollins.
Made for a small budget, Alfie was a huge box office success, and was nominated for numerous awards, including 5 Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, and Best Song). It did not receive an Oscar.