Although the film was completed in 1913, Biograph delayed its release until 1914, after D. W. Griffith left the company, so that it would not have to pay him in a profit-sharing agreement they had.
Biograph was infuriated by the $35,500 production price tag and restricted D.W.G. to shorter films, causing D.W.G. to leave the Biograph Company in October 1913.
The original Broadway production of "Judith of Bethulia" by Thomas Bailey Aldrich opened at Daly's Theatre on December 5, 1904 and ran for 16 performances.
This was altered in 1917 without D.W.G.'s input, adding unused scenes and removing the filmed cast introductions (considered old fashioned by then). This Biography re-issue (with white titles instead of the usual black) was originally 6 reels, but surviving prints are only 5 reels.
Much of "Judith of Bethulia" was shot on location in Chatsworth, CA. The interior scenes were produced at Biograph's brand new studio in The Bronx, which had been built with the profits from D.W. Griffith's films. This was the only work Griffith would do at the new facility. Following disagreements with management he left Biograph in October 1913.