AB Svensk Filmindustri (SF) had initially tried to make a film adaptation of
Selma Lagerlöf's
The Tale of a Manor in 1915, and
Gustaf Molander had developed a screenplay. The film was however cancelled. In the early 1920s the plans were revived and the project was given to
Mauritz Stiller, who is credited as writer together with the Finnish-Swedish author
Alma Söderhjelm. The screenplay differs from the original story in several regards, and the opening titles call it a "free adaptation" of the novel. Just like Stiller had done when he made his previous Lagerlöf adaptation, ''
Sir Arne's Treasure'', and
Victor Sjöström had done with his, Stiller travelled to Lagerlöf and presented the screenplay to have it approved. Lagerlöf was however deeply dissatisfied with the liberties Stiller had taken, and the production company had to convince her to not denounce the film publicly. The film was produced through AB Svensk Filminspelning, a subsidiary of SF which only existed from 1922 to 1923.
Lars Hanson was originally cast in the role of Gunnar Hede, but was replaced by Einar Hanson soon before production started. This was Einar Hanson's first leading role in a film. ==Release==