The Execution of Private Slovik (1974)

The Execution of Private Slovik

Made for television (1974)

Starring Martin Sheen, Ned Beatty and Gary Busey.

The Execution of Private Slovik was a nonfiction book written by William Bradford Huie, published in 1954, 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 stars Martin Sheen as Private Slovik, a performance for which he received an Emmy Award nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Drama. Sheen said he did not think actors should be compared, and made it clear he would refuse the award. Many critics and viewers consider this to be one of the finest performances ever made by Martin Sheen. Among the other Emmy Award nominations, the film was named for Outstanding Special.