Ingmar Bergman watched this film at least once every summer, either alone or in the company of younger people. He also stated that this film, to him, was once "the film of all films", and that it was a main influence on his own work.
It should have been heavily censored due to its supernatural content in accordance with the censorship guidelines at the time, but the board of censors decided to leave the film intact rather than risk a dispute with Selma Lagerlöf.
Director Victor Sjöström disguised himself as a poor man and spent time in the slums of Stockholm in order to prepare for this movie.
Director Victor Sjöström traveled up to author Selma Lagerlöf's house in Mårbacka to read the scenario out loud. He acted out the whole screenplay in front of her before crashing down on a sofa, totally exhausted. She looked at the director for a long time and then asked he would care for a drink. That was her seal of approval.