Two great performances worthy of a BD release

[rkolinski]

"The Execution of Private Slovik"

Actual photo of Eddie Slovik following execution


"In William Bradford Huie’s book, "The Execution of Private Slovik". William Huie questions the fairness of Eddie Slovik’s draft classification, the fairness of the replacement system, the United States’ prosecution of WWII, the singling out of Eddie Slovik for execution, and whether Eddie Slovik’s case was even the most flagrant case of desertion, whether the execution served to make an example of Private Slovik, and whether Private Slovik’s treatment by the United States Army was just."

Image from the TV adaptation showing a young Charlie Sheen


"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 TV movie aired on NBC on March 13, 1974. "In 1960 Frank Sinatra announced that he would produce a film adaptation of The Execution of Private Slovik, to be written by blacklisted Hollywood 10 screenwriter Albert Maltz. This announcement evoked tremendous outrage, with Sinatra accused 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.[3] Slovik's execution is featured in a scene in the 1963 film The Victors, coincidentally accompanied by a Sinatra Christmas recording."

"Frank Sinatra bought the screen rights but never made a movie. He didn’t want to anger friend John Kennedy. Award-winning filmmaker Richard Dubelman acquired the film rights from Sinatra, and after years of dedicated work finally convinced Universal Studios to help him make it as a TV-movie. It starred Martin Sheen and, according to one website, was the highest rated made-for-TV special until Roots."

This TV adaptation won 2 primetime Emmy Awards and was nominated for 8 in total, including one Emmy nomination for Martin Sheen as Best Lead Actor in a Drama.

"The film stars Martin Sheen, and also marks the first screen appearance of his then 9-yr-old son Charlie Sheen."



"Testament"

cast photo


"Nuclear war in the United States is portrayed in a realistic and believable manner. The story is told through the eyes of a woman who is struggling to take care of her family. The entire movie takes place in a small suburban town outside San Francisco. After the nuclear attack, contact with the outside world is pretty much cut off."

Originally produced for the PBS series American Playhouse. This film opened in the United States on November 6, 1983, grossing slightly over $2M. Based on The Last Testament by Carol Amen, the film script was by John Sacret Young, who would later create the television series China Beach. Jane Alexander was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance."