Forty Lashes Less One

Leonard originally wrote it as a twenty-page treatment and the film rights were bought by National General Pictures then he wrote the book.^[1] In 1969 it was reported that Leonard was writing a screenplay for National General.^[2] The novel was set in Yuma Prison but National General were worried about the cost of building this so Leonard changed the script to be set in a workcamp. Director Richard Brooks became attached.^[1] However National General stopped producing movies in 1971. Executive Dan Polier attempted to set up the film as an independent production but was unsuccessful.^[3] Leonard estimated he was paid $150,000 for the rights.^[4]

In the late 1990s film rights were bought by Quentin Tarantino. However, as of 2026 no film has resulted.^[5]