Although shot in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio (for later television airing) the theatrical aspect ratio of this film is 1.85:1 widescreen. Most modern 16x9 (1.78:1) televisions have a "zoom to width" picture option, essentially allowing the viewer to see it as the director and cinematographer intended.
It is easy to spot films shot this way since all the titles and credits will still fit when properly cropped (they stay in the "middle" of the frame), and there is an unusual amount of "headroom" above the actors in medium and close-up shots when viewed uncropped.
Quite often "mistakes" like seeing equipment in the top or bottom of the uncropped frame would never have been seen by a theater audience.
According to the film's press-book, the town of Ellsworth, SD was a set built in California's Simi Valley. Although interiors for the film were shot at the KTTV Studios in Los Angeles, filming took place at the Ray Corrigan Ranch in Simi Valley and the Iverson Ranch in Chatsworth for location shooting.
The working title of this film was The Trial of Benjie Galt.