Based on events that took place in Skidmore, Missouri involving Ken Rex McElroy (b. June 1, 1934 d. July 10, 1981).
Fictionalized names are used in the screenplay, yet Brian Dennehy is made up convincingly to resemble the real-life subject Ken McElroy by dyeing his hair dark, thickening his eyebrows, growing large sideburns, and even wearing brown contact lenses.
The film cast includes three Oscar winners: Chris Cooper, Marcia Gay Harden, and Cloris Leachman.
The character Jack Wilson's radio call sign of 507 was the same as that of real-life Missouri Highway Patrol officer Richard Stratton, upon whom Wilson's character was based.
A TV movie for the NBC network.