Ann Todd had portrayed the title character in a production of the play on which this movie was based and had always wanted to play it in a movie adaptation. Shortly after she married director Sir David Lean, he agreed to make this movie and cast her as the lead, as a wedding present of sorts.
The film is based on the true story of Madeleine Smith and her trial which took place in 1857.
A film restoration was conducted by the BFI National Archive in collaboration with Granada International and funded by the David Lean Foundation. High-definition transfer and digital restoration were conducted by Granada International at Technicolor Creative Services.