[1] The film is based on the novella La Symphonie Pastorale by André Gide and adapted to the screen by Jean Aurenche.It was shot at the Neuilly Studios in Paris with sets designed by the art director René Renoux.

At the 1946 Cannes Film Festival, it won the Grand Prix (equivalent of the Palme d'Or) and the Best Actress award for Michèle Morgan.

As Gertrude grows up into an attractive young woman, the pastor, now middle-aged, realises that he is in love with her.

To his chagrin, his adopted son, Jacques, is also in love with Gertrude, even though he is shortly to be married to another woman.

Unable to accept Jacques' love and disappointed by the pastor's affections for her, she realises that her former happiness has been lost forever.