The play tells the story, in semi-documentary form, of the Italian-born anarchists, Sacco and Vanzetti, who were arrested, tried, and executed for the murder of a guard and the paymaster during the robbery of a shoe factory in South Braintree, Massachusetts.
It then reenacts portions of the trial, focusing on abuses by the presiding judge and prosecutor, and suggests that the men were convicted because of their radical political beliefs and due to prejudice against foreigners.
The second hour was aired on June 10, 1960, covering the six years following the convictions, including appeals, the confession of Celestino Medeiros that he was the actual killer, public protests, the commission established by Gov.
"[9] In the New York Daily News, Ben Gross praised NBC and the program's sponsor for their courage in presenting the play and called it "a blasting indictment of Massachusetts justice" and "one of the most controversial ever seen on television.
"[12] In another front-page presentation following the second part, The Boston Globe's TV critic, Percy Shain gave the production four stars and wrote that it left a "nauseating picture" of Governor Alvan T.
[13] In the Los Angeles Times, Cecil Smith called it "a powerful piece of work, skillfully written by Rose and ably directed by Sidney Lumet, which -- agree with its premise or not -- should stir the blood.