[1] The cast included performances by: Barnaby Conrad approached producer Martin Manulis and director John Frankenheimer proposing to turn his upcoming book The Death of Manolete into a production for Playhouse 90.

"[2] He cited several reasons for the failure: Despite the poor quality of the production, it drew attention when "every comic in town" did a parody of the program.

[2] Because of the difficulties with presenting a bullfight on live television, the production relied heavily on film clips of Manolete's performances.

[4] In The New York Times, Jack Gould wrote the production "never deeply involved the viewer or gave a truly illuminating insight into the man."

"[6] In the New York Daily News, Kay Gardell wrote that "it was more a mood piece than an exciting drama" and "fell short of hitting a bull's-eye."