The film deals with class, sex and power as the title character, the daughter of a Count in 19th century Sweden, begins a relationship with one of the estate's servants.

[1] Following a scandalous broken engagement, Miss Julie, the daughter of Count Carl, forgoes a family Midsummer's Eve celebration to "honour" the estate servants' ball with her presence.

Just as he had told her about his boyhood, Julie recounts her girlhood: Her mother Berta was a commoner who believed in women's rights and had to be persuaded to marry.

Sjöberg had directed a stage adaption of August Strindberg's Miss Julie in 1949, starring Ulf Palme as Jean and Inga Tidblad in the title role.

[2] Filming took place between 28 April and 18 July 1950 in Sandrew's studios and various locations in the Stockholm area, including Dalarö, Stora Wäsby Castle, and the Drottningholm Palace Park.

[3] In the book-length interview Hitchcock/Truffaut (Simon and Schuster, 1967), Alfred Hitchcock said he had hired Björk as the female lead for I Confess in 1952, after seeing her in Miss Julie.

[9] Reviewing The Criterion Collection DVD, Stuart Henderson cited for "exciting liberties" taken with the classic play, creating a "deeply compelling" film.