Jocelyne LaGarde is the only performer in Academy Award history to be nominated for her only screen role. LaGarde had never acted before, and never acted again in her entire life.
The fictional character of Malama in James A. Michener's book and subsequently in this movie, was based on Queen Ka'ahumanu, the actual ruler of Maui at the time of the missionaries' arrival in the islands. It was she who welcomed the missionaries onto the island, passed the laws against the sailors, and who converted to Christianity shortly before her death, just as Malama does in this movie. Malama was expertly portrayed in this movie by Tahitian Jocelyn LaGarde, who had never acted, but physically resembled the actual Queen Ka'ahumanu in every way except one: Queen Ka'ahumanu was reportedly very heavily tattooed.
The real-life sons of Max von Sydow, Henrik von Sydow and Clas S. von Sydow, both played his son, Micah, at different ages during this movie. Henrik played a seven-year-old Micah, and Clas played a twelve-year-old Micah.
This movie was responsible for launching the career of Bette Midler. She can be seen in the crowd as an extra playing a seasick passenger aboard a ship listening to Reverend Abner Hale (Max von Sydow). Midler was also hired for a small speaking role, and went to Los Angeles, California to film these scenes in a studio. Her scenes were cut from the final movie. However, Bette used the money she earned to move to New York City, where her career took off.
Fred Zinnemann was originally slated to direct and Audrey Hepburn and Sir Alec Guinness were set to star. Unfortunately, conflicts with producer Walter Mirisch and screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, as well as numerous delays caused by the weather, forced him to walk off the project shortly before filming started. George Roy Hill was brought in to direct.