Trivia: Total Recall was based on a 1966 short story from pulp-fiction writer Philip K. Dick called "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale". He also wrote other mind bending novels on which futuristic films like 'Minority Report', 'Blade Runner', 'Impostor', 'Screamers' and 'Paycheck' were based. Like many movies, the plot is only loosely based on the original story. In this case, the movie follows the original story up to visit to Total Recall after which the two diverge completely.
Trivia: Kuato's voice saying 'open your mind' was sampled in early 90's Italian electronic/dance group Usura's European hit of the same name.
Trivia: The sound effect used for when Quaid presses his hand into the device to start creating air on Mars is the same as the targeting reticule in Predator. (01:43:10)
GalahadFairlightTrivia: Originally, Helm's death was more graphic. Thumbelina had actually gutted Helm from crotch to sternum with the Bowie knife. To secure an R rating, the filmmakers had Thumbelina stab Helm in the stomach instead. During the final battle between Quaid and Richter, Richter's arms are cut off, and he falls to his death. However, the comic book sequel "Life on Mars" resurrects Richter with a pair of robot-like prosthetic arms.
Trivia: The burly miner Quaid encounters on the train to the Mars hotelstry is Mickey Jones, who performed Michael Ironside's partner Chris Farber in the series "V". Ironside also wears the same kind of clothes he did as Ham Tyler in that series. (00:48:00)
Daniel4646
Answer: Harry works for the Agency the same way Arnie's wife did. While the wife watched him at home, Harry was to watch him at work. Harry told Arnie that story to keep him from going to Recall and to keep him from having to kill Arnie for bringing up his memories of Mars.
T Poston