A Time for Killing was originally titled The Southern Blade, after the 1961 novel by Nelson and Shirley Wolford upon which it was based. Film rights to the book were optioned by producer Harry Joe Brown in fall 1964, according to a news item in the 15 Oct 1964 DV. The project was set up at Columbia Pictures, and Roger Corman, who had recently signed a long-term deal with the studio, was assigned to direct and co-produce through his La Honda Service Productions, as noted in the 25 Nov 1964 Var and 19 Jul 1965 DV. Actor Nick Adams was set to appear, an item in the 15 Dec 1964 DV reported. The project was briefly retitled Rio Diablo, and then The Long Ride Home. Although principal photography was initially scheduled to begin in spring 1965, production was delayed. The 27 Oct 1965 DV announced that Richard Boone was considering a role, and, months later, the 15 Apr 1966 DV stated that Cliff Robertson had been cast; however, neither appeared in the final film, nor did Nick Adams.
       An article in the 10 Jun 1966 LAT stated that the production would cost more than $500,000, making it a higher-than-usual budget for Roger Corman, who had been known for making independent, low-budget features before signing with Columbia. When Corman first began working with the studio, he found they were unreceptive to his ideas, and, likewise, he was not interested in the material they had to offer him. He eventually agreed to make A Time for Killing on the condition that he was “allowed to do what he wanted with the script.”
       Filming began on 7 Jun 1966, in or around Kanab, UT. Some scenes were shot in Zion National Park, UT, and in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, also in Utah. Location shooting was set to take follow in Arizona, where some filming was based in the town of Page.
       On 24 Jun 1966, a DV news brief reported that Corman had been replaced by director Phil Karlson. Monte Hellman was replaced as editor several weeks later. Although no reason was given at the time of Corman’s departure, a 29 Jun 1966 DV item later cited “artistic differences.” With the addition of Karlson, Anthony Ray was made first assistant director, the 1 Jul 1966 DV noted. In mid-Jul 1966, production moved to the Columbia studio lot in Hollywood, CA.
       A 13 Sep 1967 Var brief stated that theatrical release was scheduled to take place in Nov 1967, despite earlier designs for a summer release. The film was not reviewed in DV until 10 Jun 1968, when the publication acknowledged that trade screenings had been offered on the East and West Coasts in the fall of 1967. The DV review asserted, “It was only via journalistic mishap that [A Time for Killing] emerged as the first major studio-produced ‘A’ pic (supposed) in years not to receive a Daily Variety review at the time of initial release.” The picture was scheduled to open in Los Angeles, CA, on 2 Oct 1968, according to a 30 Sep 1968 LAT announcement.
       The following actors were named as cast members in DV and LAT items published between Jun and Jul 1966: Sarita Vera; Al Wyatt; Elizabeth Ferrar; Frank Scannell; Mike Perrotta; Audrey Betz; Angelina Bauer; Linda Cordova; and Mary Garcia. Also, a 4 Aug 1966 DV brief stated that the role of a “military orderly” was cast with one actor, but ultimately performed by Peter Ford, the son of leading man Glenn Ford. Another DV item published on the same day stated that actor George Hamilton was planning an end-of-filming party at his house.