Forty Lashes Less One is a 1972 Western novel by Elmore Leonard.
Background
Leonard originally wrote it as a twenty-page treatment and the film rights were bought by National General Pictures then he wrote the book.[1] In 1969 it was reported that Leonard was writing a screenplay for National General.[2] The novel was set in Yuma Prison but National General were worried about the cost of building this so Leonard changed the script to be set in a workcamp. Director Richard Brooks became attached.[1] However National General stopped producing movies in 1971. Executive Dan Polier attempted to set up the film as an independent production but was unsuccessful.[3] Leonard estimated he was paid $150,000 for the rights.[4]
In the late 1990s film rights were bought by Quentin Tarantino. However, as of 2026 no film has resulted.[5]
Premise
In 1904, two inmates of a prison in Yuma, a Mexican-Apache and a black ex-soldier, plan to escape.
Reception
The Kentucky New Era called the novel "both entertaining and informative."[6]