 At the time of writing the script, the troubles had just begun in Northern Ireland and the BBC were reluctant to broadcast the production.An appeal by the author to David Attenborough (Director of Programming for the BBC at that time) resulted in the play eventually being broadcast; Attenborough took the view that the imperatives of free speech could not be compromised in the cause of political expediency.An Irish documentary made by Colm Connolly for RTÉ Television in 1989 called "The Shadow of Béal na Bláth" covered Collins's death.