Despite running 2 hours, there are less than 90 shots in the entire film and only one exterior scene. This may account for the outright hostility that greeted the film from the critical fraternity when it was first released.
Palladium was skeptical of the project's commercial potential, but allegedly greenlit it to prove their artistic merit in order to retain their theater license in Copenhagen.
As the play was set in turn-of-the-century Stockholm, period decor was brought from Sweden, except for a leather sofa which was by modern designer Børge Mogensen.
Dreyer was inspired by the paintings of Vilhelm Hammershøi with regard to lighting and designs.