This film was withheld by Soviet authorities by order of Joseph Stalin, since this film, dealing with Ivan's slide into madness and the tyranny of the Oprichnina, did not properly mythologize Ivan IV Grozny to Stalin's satisfaction. It was not finally released until 10 years after the deaths of director Sergei Eisenstein and Stalin.
The color sequences were filmed using Bi-Color, an early experimental form of color film that has only blue and red shades, producing a vividly abstract effect.
Sergei Eisenstein suffered a severe heart attack during filming on 2 February 1946, and spent much of the following year recovering in hospital.
The film features two color sequences, Ivan eating dinner with feeble-minded Vladimir while the "oprichniki" dance and sing for them and a final shot of Ivan denouncing all enemies of Russia's indepedence and unity.
Filming began in 1946 and ended in 1949, but the film was not released until 1958.