Silvana Mangano was initially chosen as the leading lady for the film (she had signed a contract with Lux Film for the sum of one million lire), but was forced to abandon the project because she was pregnant at the time.
The acclaimed cinematographer Otello Martelli was contracted to work on the film but had to drop out because of contradicting schedules.
The film was shot around the city of Fondi which was Giuseppe De Santis's place of birth.