 The film’s production began in 1941 with an initial budget of over 4.5 million Reichsmarks (ℛℳ) that increased to over 6.5 million ℛℳ, after Goebbels’ intentions to “surpass the special effects and color artistry” of Alexander Korda's Technicolor film "The Thief of Bagdad".Josef von Báky looked to this film as well as Hollywood's productions of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" and "Gone with the Wind" for visual inspiration.Emil Hasler and Otto Gülstorff designed the set, and Konstantin Irmen-Tschet was placed in charge of editing and staging the film, including the special effects.