The play examines the life of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) from 1895, shortly before he departed on a European speaking tour, to 1905.
During these years, Twain fell deeply into debt, and wife suffered a nervous breakdown and died.
Foote had studied Twain's works since childhood and conducted extensive research before writing the screenplay.
[1] Fred Danzig of the UPI praised the performances of Bard and Tone.
[2] Cynthia Lowry of the Associated Press called it "a poignant and in some ways slow-moving play.