'Made' date = 1973, but first showing date = 1975: This film took over ten years to get to the screen, despite director had had several earlier quite successful and popular films produced and shown (also been a leading man, Valentino like, actor in silents) but with his melodramatic style had fallen out of favour meaning financial constraints throughout: begun in 64, major financing secured to get most done in 67-8, with original title 'Aslak's Daughter': changing 'youth' mores of 'swinging '60's' culture, prompted director to add 'contemporary' like scenes (e.g. the 'orgy') along with some retakes in '70. When submitted for release to Finnish board of classification, got first ever rated adult '18' (+ "30% penalty tax") at which director himself took protest claim against, to highest court in land = still lost: subsequently now accepted deal with board to cut a 5 minute 'brothel scene' (now only "taxed at 10%"), got theatrical release planned for in capital, Helsinki, but as that would be in a cinema famed / notorious for soft core sex film exhibitor = director baulked, with upshot, eventually only shown in North of land where population far fewer, resulting eventually in only two ever theatrical showings in '75 with only "665 paying customers" logged! Yet, also originally intended for an international market as originally made with English dialogue, but abject failure meant that this version never shown. Director's disappointment and demoralisation meant that this film was in effect withdrawn from public viewing (e.g. he forbade TV showings) until after his death in 2000, nor made any other film after. Has become "a swansong of garishness". [Details courtesy, film archivist and director fan, Markku Varjola from Finnkino DVD issue extras.]
