At its premiere at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival, this was booed so much to the extent that Michelangelo Antonioni and Monica Vitti fled the theater. However, after the second screening there was a complete turn around in how it was perceived and it was awarded the Special Jury Prize, going on to become a landmark of European cinema.
The rocky Aeolian island on which the first portion of the film was made - its name is Lisca Bianca - didn't have electricity or running water and was subject to violent weather, including a tornado. At one point, the crew found themselves completely stranded on the island.
The film was censored heavily because of its alleged immorality. Two of the love scenes were considerably edited and others were obscured by on-screen masking devices. Michelangelo Antonioni was officially charged with obscenity and immorality, although the charges were later dismissed.
The shot of Anna diving off the boat was filmed with assistant director Franco Indovina in a ladies' bathing suit and cap. Lea Massari was in the hospital at the time.