As early as 1951, Zeffirelli had considered dedicating a film to Giuseppe Verga's novel "Storia di una capinera". But the adaptation rights were not available, as they had been acquired by Titanus, which intended to entrust the direction of the film to Raffaello Matarazzo. However, the story of the fragile young girl forced by her family to become a nun remained close to Zeffirelli's heart. He had always been drawn to stories of young people constrained by an adult society, often ending up as its victims.
Thus, the project resurfaced many years later and was entirely filmed in Sicily, in real locations between Catania and Mount Etna. The international cast featured young lead actors alongside great theatre performers such as Vanessa Redgrave, Valentina Cortese, Frank Finlay, Sinéad Cusack and Denis Quilley.
The costumes were designed by Piero Tosi, who won Italy’s most prestigious film awards for this film: the Nastro d’Argento and the David di Donatello.