To accentuate Elvira Madigan's mixed descent her Swedish voice was dubbed by Danish actress Yvonne Ingdal, while Swedish actress Pia Degermark who acted the role dubbed the few scenes where she spoke Danish. This meant she always spoke with an accent.
Ulf Björlin was hired to compose original music, however director Bo Widerberg wasn't happy with the result and it wasn't included. In a last minute decision Piano Concerto No. 21 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was chosen as the main theme - which significantly increased its popularity. The concerto is since known by the anachronistic nickname "Elvira Madigan".
The portrait of Elvira was drawn, she says, in Paris "by a cripple." She doesn't remember his name, but his mark is a TL in a circle, which was one of the signatures that Henri de Toulouse Lautrec used.
The film is based on a real-life romance that occurred in the 19th century. The story has been filmed three times.