The Execution of Private Slovik
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| The Execution of Private Slovik | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Lamont Johnson |
| Produced by | Richard Dubleman |
| Written by | William Bradford Huie Lamont Johnson Richard Levinson |
| Starring | Martin Sheen Mariclare Costello Ned Beatty |
| Music by | Hal Mooney |
| Cinematography | Bill Butler |
| Editing by | Frank Morriss |
| Distributed by | NBC MCA/Universal Home Video |
| Release date(s) | 1974 |
| Running time | 120 Mins |
| Country | U.S. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $180000 |
| IMDb profile | |
The Execution of Private Slovik is a nonfiction book by William Bradford Huie, published in 1954[1], and an American made-for-television movie that aired on NBC on March 13, 1974. The film was written for the screen by Richard Levinson, William Link and by Lamont Johnson who also served as film director.
The book and the film tell the story of Private Eddie Slovik, the only American soldier to be executed for desertion since the American Civil War. The film starred Martin Sheen as Private Slovik for which he received an Emmy Award nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Drama. Many critics and viewers consider this to be one of Sheen's finest performances, noting in particular the firing squad execution scene when Slovik recites the Roman Catholic prayer, Hail Mary. This film was also the debut film of actor Charlie Sheen.
Among the other Emmy Award nominations, the film was named for "Outstanding Special."
In 1960 Frank Sinatra announced that he would produce a movie entitled The Execution of Private Slovik to be written by blacklisted Hollywood 10 screenwriter Albert Maltz. This announcement evoked tremendous outrage, accusing Sinatra of being a Communist sympathizer. As Sinatra was campaigning for John F. Kennedy for President, the Kennedy campaign became concerned and ultimately prevailed upon Sinatra to cancel the project.[2]
In Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five, Billy Pilgrim finds an abandoned copy of William Bradford Huie's book and reads through it while in a waiting room.
[edit] References
- ^ "The Execution of Private Slovik" by William Bradford Huie, ISBN 1594160031
- ^ His way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra by Kitty Kelly, pp. 296-301 ISBN 0-553-26515-6
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