Made in two different language versions: one in English and Swedish, in which the Swedes speak Swedish with each other - the version preferred by Ingmar Bergman himself - and one in English only.
American actor Elliott Gould was the first non-Scandinavian actor to act in a lead part in an Ingmar Bergman film.
Ingmar Bergman commented in his notebook: "Manuscript completed during internal aversion. Was named "Beröringen" ("The Touch"). And indeed, it might called that as well as anything else. Now I take time off till August 3 when the real preparations begin. I feel depressed and uneasy and would love to refrain from making this film. "
While still in negotiations with director Ingmar Bergman over his role in this film, Elliott Gould was offered the lead in Les Chiens de paille (1971) by Sam Peckinpah but declined due to the violent nature of the script. That role was taken by Dustin Hoffman who was Bergman's first choice for the role in this film.