Trivia

This movie was banned in Ireland because it showed a priest having a relationship with a woman (even though, in this movie, the relationship took place before the character became a priest).

In his interview with François Truffaut, Sir Alfred Hitchcock said he was so impressed with the performance of Anita Björk in Fröken Julie (1951) that he hired her for this movie. However, when she arrived in Hollywood, Björk brought her lover, writer Stig Dagerman and their baby daughter. Since they were not married, Warner Brothers insisted that Hitchcock find another actress for the role of Ruth Grandfort, in this case, Anne Baxter.

Sir Alfred Hitchcock was upset by censorship in Quebec. Quebec authorities, church, and population had been very helpful, and he gave a nice speech at the premiere in Quebec attended with the movie's stars. Watching it, he was horrified that the Catholic authorities had edited out 2:33 of film - primarily the night at the house and, in particular, the kiss. "They massacred my movie." After the showing, he refused to talk to the dignitaries and stormed out vowing never to set foot in Quebec again.

Sir Alfred Hitchcock, as was his custom, created detailed storyboards for each scene. He could not understand Montgomery Clift's method acting technique and quickly became frustrated with Clift when he blew take after take for failing to follow Hitchcock's directions.

Montgomery Clift drank during the shooting and his eyes appear glazed on the ferry. Sir Alfred Hitchcock was a very non-confrontational director and delegated an assistant director and Karl Malden to talk to Clift about it.

Alfred Hitchcock: Crossing the top of a staircase during the opening sequence.