 The film was based on the true story of Robert E. Burns (qv). It  sticks basically to the facts except for two instances: Burns  actually did steal the $5.29 in order to eat, and he finally  succeeded in evading the Georgia legal system with the help of three  New Jersey governors. Burns actually slipped into Hollywood and  worked for a few weeks on the film, but ultimately the stress and  risk were too much, and he fled back to the safety of New Jersey.  The book and film helped bring about the collapse of the brutal  chain gang system in Georgia. Warner Bros. took a big chance on the  film, as social commentary was not normally done in Hollywood  pictures. However, this film was a critical and financial success  and helped establish Warners as the studio with a social  conscience