Trivia

When the executives at Control Data Corporation found out that "Universal" was planning a major movie featuring a computer, they saw their chance for some public exposure, and they agreed to supply, free of charge, $4.8 million worth of computer equipment and the technicians to oversee its use. Each piece of equipment carried the CDC name in a prominent location. Since they were using real computers - not just big boxes with a lot of flashing lights - the sound stage underwent extensive modifications: seven gas heaters and five specially-constructed dehumidifiers kept any dampness away from the computers, a climate control system maintained the air around the computers at an even temperature, and the equipment was covered up at all times except when actually on camera. Brink's guards were always present on the set, even at night. The studio technicians were not allowed to smoke or drink coffee anywhere near the computers.

In the movie, one of the attempts by the humans to regain control of Colossus is to try to overload the machine by feeding it too much data. This sequence is not in the original D.F. Jones novel "Colossus", on which the movie is based; however, it is a major plot point in the novel's sequel, "The Fall of Colossus", which was published in 1974.

D.F. Jones worked with computers in Britain during WWII and knew about Colossus, the computer which was the heart of Britain's code breaking complex at Bletchley Park.

James Cameron was a huge fan of this film, which influenced his screenplay for The Terminator (1984). He fulfilled his fandom decades later by casting Eric Braeden in the role of John Astor in Titanic (1997).

"Universal" later reused the footage of "Colussus" being activated as part of "Cyborg: The Six Million Dollar Man." Before they begin operating on Steve Austin to attach his bionic limbs, the entire activation sequence from "Colossus" is used.