 Author Miguel de Cervantes and his manservant have been thrown into a dungeon by the Spanish Inquisition to await trial for an offense against the Church. There, they are attacked by the prisoners. They are then subjected to a mock trial. Cervantes  fellow prisoners, all hardened criminals, are about to burn a precious manuscript that he has written, when Cervantes suggests that he be allowed to offer a defense. His defense is the story of Don Quixote. This non-musical television play later became the Broadway smash hit musical "Man of La Mancha".