After directing
The Perfume of the Lady in Black, it took four years for director
Francesco Barilli to return to directing. Barilli stated this was because he was not allowed to make the film he wanted to make, but was offered several different projects to work at. One film Barilli wanted to make was titled ''L'occhio
, when he was approached by producer Tommaso Dazzi who deemed L'occhio
too expensive, and presented him with the treatment for Pensione paura''. Barilli admitted to needing the money and took the offer to direct the film. Filming started in
Manziana in August 1977. Barilli and producer Tommaso Dazzi often argued on set as Barilli shot scenes that were not in the script, which Barilli did not care for as he wanted to shoot the film the way he wanted to. The film had an unusual setting, which film historian Roberto Curti described as "one-of-a-kind work" that did not fit into the mold of a gothic,
giallo, or psychological drama but encompassed elements of all the genres. ==Release==