The film’s title presents a factual error, as the Indonesian island of Krakatoa is west of Java. The problem was pointed out by various contemporary sources at the time of the film’s release. Cinerama Releasing Corp. executives apparently learned of the mistake only after publicity materials had been produced, and it was determined that a title change would be too costly. The original working title was Krakatoa. In spring 1967, the film was renamed East of Java, before a final title change to Krakatoa, East of Java.
       Philip Yordan was originally attached to produce for Cinerama, with Ty Hardin attached to star, as noted in the 4 Jan 1967 and 1 Feb 1967 issues of Var. On 4 Apr 1967, DV stated that the project would be a co-production between Security Pictures and Pacific Theatres Corp.
       Principal photography began in Spain on 15 May 1967, according to a production chart in the 9 Jun 1967 DV. Locations included Madrid and the island of Mallorca, where filming took place in mid-to-late Jun 1967, the 21 Jun 1967 Var noted. Cast and crew also filmed interiors at the Samuel Bronston studio lot in Hollywood, CA, as indicated in a 14 Feb 1968 Var article, which reported that the studio had since been put up for public auction.
       Filming wound in Spain sometime around 4 Oct 1967, according to that day’s Var. A 22 Nov 1967 Var brief later noted that a special unit had been rushed to the Mount Merapi volcano in Indonesia to film a possible volcanic eruption.
       On 16 Aug 1967, DV announced that American Broadcasting Company’s ABC Films had taken a fifty-percent interest in East of Java and another Cinerama picture, Custer of the West (1968, see entry). According to a 24 Jan 1968 Var article, both films were being financed “to the tune of $4,000,000.” However, the 27 May 1968 DV reported the final budget for Krakatoa, East of Java as $6,293,016.
       The film’s world premiere was set to take place on 9 Jan 1969 at three Cinerama theaters in Tokyo, Japan, the 6 Jan 1969 LAT reported. A European premiere was scheduled to follow on 31 Jan 1969 in Paris, France, as noted in the 29 Jan 1969 Var. The U.S. premiere occurred on 14 May 1969 at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, CA. An item in the 18 Jun 1969 LAT announced the picture had set a box-office record for that theater, grossing $96,712 in its first three weeks, surpassing previous record holder Grand Prix (1966, see entry). Following six months as an exclusive, roadshow engagement at the Cinerama Dome, the film was set to open in multiple theaters across Los Angeles on 19 Nov 1967.
       Despite criticisms of the film’s special effects in the 5 Feb 1969 Var and 26 Jun 1969 NYT reviews, special effects director Eugene Lourié and special effects man Alex Weldon received Academy Award nominations for Special Visual Effects. Other accolades included a Certificate of Merit from the Southern California Motion Picture Council to producer William R. Forman, “for his triple role as president and chairman of Cinerama, Inc., Pacific Theaters and as producer of Cinerama’s Krakatoa, East of Java,” as stated in the 30 May 1969 LAT.
       Actress Barbara Werle recorded two songs for the film, both written by Mack David and conducted by Frank De Vol, according to the 12 Apr 1968 DV.
       Although Bernard L. Kowalski claimed in a 19 Aug 1967 LAT interview that Krakatoa, East of Java was his feature film directorial debut, he had previously directed four feature-length motion pictures in the late 1950s.