The execution of private eddie slovik realclearhistory. The execution of private slovik martin sheen mariclare costello ned beatty 1974 in 1945 eddie slovik martin sheen becomes the first u. To most, even knowledgeable americans, slovik was a. This vhs was purchased as a birthday gift for a wwii veteran who remembered the true story of private slovik. So, this was made for tv movie or movie of the week i think, they used to call them in those days. At the time of my desertion, we were in albuff in france.
According to william bradford huie, whose 1954 book, the execution of private slovik, sold 5 million copies, eddie slovik is the only american to be executed since 1864 for the crime of. This is a non fiction account of the execution in january 1945of private eddie slovik. The execution of private slovik 1974 dvd region 1 playable in north america the us, canada, mexico, etc. Some dramatic license occurs, including during the execution. The story of eddie slovik, who was executed by the army in 1945. In 1960, frank sinatra announced his plan to produce a movie titled the execution of private slovik, to be written by blacklisted hollywood. The execution of private slovik book by william bradford huie. Slovik was sent back to the 28th division for execution. When the execution of private slovik aired 40 years ago last month, it became, according to some sources, the mostwatched madefortelevision movie in. The execution of private slovik 1974 rotten tomatoes. The execution of private slovik lamont johnson, usa, 1974 movie trailer. It arrived promptly in excellent condition and was enjoyed by all. Sloviks execution was the basis for a 1954 book by william bradford huie. Private eddie slovik, the last american shot for desertion.
It is a mustsee for not only war movie lovers, but fans of american history. Eddie slovik was a truly brave man who stood up for what he believed in, even through death. The execution of private slovik 1974 is a world war ii biography, drama movie starring martin sheen and charlie sheen. The resurrection of private slovik the new york times. The execution of private slovik tells the story of the only american soldier since the civil war who was executed by firing squad for desertion. Eddie slovik martin sheen was executed by the army in 1945, the. Edward donald slovik february 18, 1920 january 31, 1945 was a united states army. Looking at the history behind the execution of private slovik 40 years. 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 execution of private eddie slovik theatrical dramatization of the execution of u. I am proud of him, and i only hope he is proud of me. Richard levinson, william link, william bradford huie. His story inspired a popular book and a film in which actor martin sheen portrays the private in his final moments. Execution of private slovik 1974 full movie like, you can really watch it now.
Yes, world war ii was a just war, so drafting young men. Journalist william bradford huie researched this book and it is written in the style of newspaper writing at this time. The execution of private slovik vhs, 1991 for sale. The execution of private slovik 1974 official trailer. Tv film the execution of private slovik, from william bradford huies book on execution of pvt eddie d slovik in 45 for desertion, revd by john oconnor m. He states that slovik had been reconciled to his sentence of death by this time. It is a very enlightening movie, as it is eloquent of the disadvantage of a nations going to war. I saw eddie slovik for most of one morning, no more, and he never said a word to me.
I cannot say for certain whether it is his face i remember or a photograph in a magazine article based on william bradford huies best seller the execution of private slovik. Eddie slovik becomes the first american soldier since the civil war to be executed for desertionand the only one who suffered such a fate during world war ii. The film was written for the screen by richard levinson, william link and by lamont johnson who was the director, the film stars martin sheen, and also features charlie sheen in his second film in a small role. Slovik was the only soldier executed who had been convicted of a purely military offense.
The execution of private slovik 1974 movie moviefone. The execution of private slovik by william bradford huie. The execution of private slovik is a nonfiction book by william bradford huie, published in. When i first saw the execution of private slovik on television march, 1974, i was impressed by it immensely. Determined to put his criminal record behind him, eddie slovik martin sheen finds a wife, settles down and thinks himself fortunate not to be drafted, owing to his prison record. The execution of private slovik is a nonfiction book by william bradford huie, published in 1954, and an american madefortelevision movie that aired on nbc on march. Execution of private slovik 1974 full movie like, you. I saw the tv movie in the 1970sand went searching for the book. In 1974, the book was adapted for a tv movie starring martin sheen and also called the execution of private slovik. But i sat on slovik s courtmartial, as one of the nine officerjudges who. On january 31, 1945, private edward donald eddie slovik became a curious outlier of world war ii. Slovik, 36896415, confess to the desertion of the united states army. If you like the execution of private slovik you are looking for movies about with desertion, firing squad, world war two, miscarriage, execution and court martial.
I saw it again on televion in 1984, then more recently obtained vhs. In 1945, private eddie slovik, a born loser who made no secret of his desire to escape the army in any way possible, became the first american to be executed for desertion since the civil war. The film was written for the screen by richard levinson, william link and. I remember watching this as a teen when it was first on, and finding it extremely interesting. Originally classified 4f because of a prison record grand theft auto. Eddie slovik becomes the first american soldier since the civil war to be executed for desertionand the only one who suffered such a fate. I n january 1945, private eddie slovik was executed in france, the only american soldier shot for desertion since the civil war. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing the execution of private slovik near you.
Eisenhower, supreme allied commander, personally ordered the execution during the closing days of world war ii in order to deter other potential deserters. The execution of private slovik was well worth the wait. Execution of private slovik 1974 full movie like, you can really. In 1945, private eddie slovik, a born loser who made no secret of his desire to escape the army in any way possible, became the. S servicemen being sentenced to death for desertion during world war ii, only one execution was actually carried out. Eddie slovik martin sheen was executed by the army in 1945, the only american soldier to be executed for desertion since the civil war. The execution of private slovik tv movie 1974 imdb. He is the only person to have been so punished for that crime since the civil war. The execution of private slovik is a nonfiction book by william bradford huie, published in 1954, and an american madefortelevision movie that aired on nbc on march, 1974. This movie shows you that you dont have to have million dollar special effects, foul language, and blood to be good. The execution of private slovik tv movie 1974 full. It is an important movie as it brings a travesty to the public. The execution of private slovik tv movie 1974 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.
The execution of private slovik army chaplain father carl patrick cummings said, eddie, when you get up there, say a little prayer for me. He was unaware of the video until i researched the title on ebay. They were shelling the town and we were told to dig in for the night. The execution of private slovik 1974 directed by lamont. It was a true story of private eddie slovik the only solidierto be executed for deseration during world war ii. Best movies like the execution of private slovik bestsimilar. Martin sheens portrayal of eddie slovik was superior. The movie has a scene of their long polish wedding in detroit its here.
The story of eddie slovik, who was executed by the army in 1945, the only american soldier to be executed for desertion since the civil war. The execution of private slovik 1974 lamont johnson. Eddie slovik was one of literally thousands of documented deserters during wwii who were courtmartialled. The execution of private slovik 1974 video detective.
William bradford huies chronicle of this unfortunate wartime episode, the execution of private slovik, was published in 1954. Dwight eisenhower endorses the finding of a courtmartial in the case of eddie slovik, who was tried for desertion, and authorizes his execution, the first such sentence against a u. Triblive has an account of the execution on the 31st january 1945 by nick gozik, who had been ordered to attend as a military witness. Slovik became the only american soldier executed for the crime of desertion in.
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