The film was Bergman's first feature as director and he also wrote the screenplay, based on the Danish radio play Moderhjertet (translated as The Mother Animal, A Mother's Heart, The Mother Creature, and The Maternal Instinct) by Leck Fischer.
Este debutul regizoral al lui Bergman, el fiind și autorul scenariului, pe baza piesei de radio daneze Moderhjertet (cu sensul de Animalul Mamă, Inima Mamei, Creatura Mamă și Instinct Matern) de Leck Fischer.