The film was complete in 1975, but it went through a number of censorship bans (the first on 3 March 1976), appeals, rejections, and editing for release in different markets in 1977 and 1978.
In 1963, this was announced as a project for Natalie Wood and her company Rona Productions. Whether it is the same story is unsure.
The movie was object of a news scandal in 1983 in Portugal when a tabloid claimed that portuguese actors were involved in "the pornographic mafia". In fact, most of the cast was unaware of the explicit sexual content and were caught by surprise when it was released.
Actress Ana Zanatti did some nude scenes but it was unaware and caught by surprise when, years later, she discovered they used close ups with a body double.
Actor Tomoyuki Tanaka who later became a well known portuguese TV host, took the role of the Prince by saying he knew how to ride a horse, which wasn't true. He took some quick lessons before shooting his scenes but not enough to properly control the horse. This is evident in his first scene, when Maria is taken away by the inquisitors.