"The Execution of Private Slovik" (1974) - WW2 Drama with Martin Sheen
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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.
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. But when the rules of the draft change, Eddie finds himself at boot camp, where he is hopelessly inept as a soldier. Nevertheless, his superiors cheat to push him through, and Eddie quickly proves just as much of a bungler on the front line until he finally chooses to desert -- an act that will have dire consequences.
First aired on March 14, 1974. For education, entertainment, enlightenment and inspiration.
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I remember watching this as a kid. Thank you UA-cam
I had forgotten about this movie. I remember when I watched it, it moved me.
Ive never heard of this incident or this film. What a great find! Thank you for uploading this excellent film.
Some stores suggested it was to make an example, but if seems it was done in secret.
The book is well worth the time.
I have visited the exact location. 2011. A modern apartment building stands there.
Major units in the division had witnesses present. @@anthonybanchero3072
In the 70's, Martin Sheen was the television actor of the day.
An excellent actor and wonderful person.
That’s funny, I remember him being in some important films. He became a TV actors in the late 90s and early oughts with West Winf etc
He was a film actor then. Only decades later a tv actor
This broke my heart to watch. I was just days short of my first birthday when this tragedy happened. An amazing performance by Martin Sheen.
I notice stuff like that too. On the day I was born, MTV launched. And one month to the day before my birth the Wonderland Murders were committed in Los Angeles. Also I’m sure numerologists would have plenty to say about my birthdate, 8-1-81.
@@jpmnky That's alot of 9's.....
Slovak was NO coward. He did as he believed. Everyone else was a coward for following stupid orders.
@@jpmnky My birthday was 8/01/1948
Agreed, Sir. Almost humbled.
Watch this moving many times and it never gets boring.
Wow! First time I've seen this since it was shown on British TV back in 1976. It was during the summer holidays and we had to write an essay about Eddie Slovik in English class when we got back to boarding school.
OMG so many unknown actors with small parts and lines are major players today!!! What an awesome movie! They don't make them like this anymore!
These television movies started disappearing around 2000, by 2004 I think they were a thing of the past. Except Lifetime and Hallmark Channel, ect. These network movies of the week and miniseries were pretty cool. On the flip side television shows have drastically improved. Movies and documentaries have gotten worse. But man, television really started to improve around 2000. Love these UA-cam channels that air these TV movies.
@@jpmnky I strongly agree that movies have gotten worse. I strongly disagree that television shows have gotten better.
I recall watching this as a child.
I saw this in 1974. It broke my heart. I remember sobbing at the end. Bravo to the men and women who enlist. I have the utmost respect for you, but war is not for everyone. He could have served in some other capacity with out a gun.
It affected me very much the same, I was 12, and never forgot it - (wasn't it an 'ABC Movie of the Week'?) ; was also the first time I had ever seen Martin Sheen in performance - phew! .. hear, hear
@@elgato894 yes
BECAUSE OTHER COWARDS WOULDN'T DO THE SAME IF THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH IT?
@@elgato894 It is your duty, as you enjoy the life of being here. Sad but true. There was a time in America where you could pay another to go in your place.
I honestly don't recall. Was he drafted in the movie? Many volunteered for soldierhood for WWII. Seems unlikely but I want to know now.
I watched it again. He in fact was "conscripted."
Still, as sad as it is, we are a nation of laws.
50,000 other Americans did what he did. 100,000 English men did as well. He was the only to be executed.
Can anyone deny that if executions weren't the exception those numbers would be far, far lower?
Levinson & Link at their best.. a 50 year old tv movie, no gratuitous violence, coarse language, but Nails the "Insanity of War ' as good as Stanley Kubrick, it is that good
chop-another great anti war film is fiel d punishment 1
Insanity of war does not enable cowards but inspire men who would give their life for others when they themselves are afraid of death.
Thank you for showing the entire movie, the movie the Victor's, was based on his execution.
Not really. ‘The Victors’ was based on short stories by a British soldier and his experiences in WW2. Yes, in the movie they are present at the execution, but it’s just a small part of the movie.
A guy I knew, Andy Evinago, knew Eddie during the war. I live in Lincoln park Michigan, and my friend lived down the street from me. He said he couldnt believe they killed such a pure soul.
Heartbreaking.
@mwbright they gave him multiple chances to tear up the paper and he would of gotten a jail sentence but he kept not listening even when in custody. Even had he came back to usa this a guy who would of been in and out of prison for his whole life.
Can blame bastard Ike for this
@@johnmills2274 I know. Awful.
Its impessive, but why on earth make a movie of such a tragedy?!
Wow I can not believe this is on UA-cam and free!!. Thank You!!.
What an absolute balls up of an execution! Let's not kill one of our own this morning accidently, that if it was actually said was ironic.
I had the same thought, wasn't Eddie Slovik one of their own ???
It was overly dramatized. If Slovik wasn't killed in the volley, the Officer used his pistol.
@@cyntar556 No. Ejected from the Army, hence, no saluting either.
The idea of one blank round puzzles me. It is supposed to ease the conscience of the squad, but the shooters know it they have fired a blank or live round.
The reasoning is that amidst the noise of the simultaneous volley the other members of the squad won't know who fired the blank bullet.
@@bazza945 Read Newton's Third Law of Motion. The person who fired the blank will know because the rifle will not recoil.
@@elgato894 it is a good idea, also they sometimes used wax bullets which have more recoil, the idea is none of the firing squad know when they pull the trigger if their round is blank or live, that creates a sort of shared responsibility and also plausible deniability to others and of course, yourself :)
I've fired a Garand with live and blank ammo, you can tell the difference.
@@wynwilliams6977 I understand the idea of not knowing for sure if you fired a live round but the science does not lie. The amount of recoil is governed by the weight of the projectile. So that must be some heavy wax. Sir Issac Newton's Third Law of Motion is proven science.
I saw this when it was first aired, and it was tough to watch. 50 years later, and it still is hard to watch.
Noteworthy Trivia: Private Eddie Slovik was initially buried in the cemetery for convicted men in Plot E Osie-Aisne American Cemetery in Northern France. His remains were later moved back to the USA to Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit in 1987. The graves at Oise' Aisne American Cemetery do not list names but are numbered. The father of civil rights icon, Emmitt Till, Louis Till , is buried in Plot E Osie- Aisne American Cemetery as he was executed after a conviction for rape by a military court.
The "dishonored dead" section is also walled off and only accessible through a locked door.
I would have no interest in seeing it. Far too many heroes to honor anyway.
Rape and murder. Looks like the apple didn't fall too far from the tree.
He definitely got a raw deal.there was thousands of deserters during ww2 and he was the unlucky one picked.
This is Charlie sheen first IMDb credited role, he is the little boy at the wedding
Beautiful, heart touching movie. Martin Sheen is a Wonderful actor, I've seen a very few of his movies ; Cassandra Crossing, Man Woman & Child. Really enjoyed this, Thanks You Tube ! 👍 🙏
Excellent film. Remember like yesterday going into the family room and asking my parents what they were watching on TV (1974). A very sad movie. I do wish present day persons would still refer to the World Wars as WWI or WWII as they had been for decades, and usually required.
Every time I see Martin Sheen I can't get over how great an actor he is. Throughout the whole film he looks like a scared rabbit. It just rips the guts right of you to think of Eddie and his wife. So tragic. May he RIP. ❤
An interesting side note to this movie was that Frank Sinatra bought the film rights and was planning a major motion picture. But the project was canceled after he had hired a blacklisted writer from the McCarthy era. It was rumored that since Frank was supporting JFK's run for president he was pressured to give up on this project.
"Take it easy, padre. None of us is enjoying this." And yet, I can't help but notice, nobody is objecting.
I see you are armchair general.
Just 22 minutes in but I know this is good stuff.
50 years later, this is still the finest “Made for television” film I’ve ever seen. The direction, casting, acting, pacing . . . Everything was first rate. The last 20 minutes is just brutal to watch, but it’s so meaningful and emotional, and it’s perhaps Martin Sheen’s greatest performance . . . . Of many.
14:00 ... I agree that the movie was good, but the casting has one flaw, unless you can correct any understanding. There was a black MP test with transporting a white man in 1945 our US segregated Army. ... They were service troops, but I tend to think of them as Graves Registry, Blackball Express. I am pretty certain in the Navy they were relegated to mess cooks, laundry, material handlers.
As distasteful as the subject is today, I believe it's important to have gotten this right, down to the haircut and style of mustache.
I skipped through all the lovey dovey fluff
I think everyone lost in this situation. Everyone was obviously unhappy and uncomfortable about the execution, at the end of the movie. I really couldn’t figure out if Slovak was cunning or unable to properly reason things out. To me, he seemed a bit odd, somehow. Great acting all round. A sad event.
Uncalled for; murdered an innocent man for his religious beliefs. Stupid ass generals...
You say it was the end of the war, but the rest of his unit, the 28th Infantry Division was in the middle of the Battle of the Bulge at the time when he deserted. The brass, all the way up to Eisenhower, felt like if they didn't make an example of him, there might be a lot more desertions.
@@rogerd777 The Army did not make an example of him because they didn't publicize his execution.
@@Bob31415
Exactly
@@rogerd777 It was actually The Battle of Hurtgen Forest that he deserted during. It was a brutal, meatgrinder of a battle that accomplished very little. It took place just before the Battle of the Bulge which largely overshadowed it in the history books. There's a good movie about it called When Trumpets Fade.
My Grandpa used to say. In Wartime a soldier has two choices.
Fight at the front, and you might get shot.
Desert , and you will get shot !
pick one
In the Russian Army not even a trial just the opinion of a Political Commissary was enough.
I said the same thing that grandpa said, he was a wise man
this movie was an ABC movie of the week. movies made for television. these movies were aired on Tuesday nights.
There's this little story meant as humour. For myself, it's always been an essence of truth. English, Scottish and Irish Admirals argue about whose sailors are bravest. English Admiral orders Seaman Jones to climb up the mast and dive down onto the deck. Yessir.....Jones says, salutes, splatters himself. There, gents, he says. English Bravery. Scottish Admiral orders Seaman MacDonald to perform some similar act of stupidity, MacDonald salutes and self destructs. Irish Admiral calls over Paddy, and instructs him to dive into the prop of the back of the ship. Paddy looks him over. Ye fookin mad...? Git someone else do be that stoopid, mate, he tells the Admiral. Irish Admiral turns to the other two. THAT gents, he says, is what ye call bravery. In just about every tale of great bravery in the wars of humanity, you can exchange Stupid Obedience for Bravery, and the narrative works as well. The truly brave are those who can show a middle finger to a stupid and brutal system, and not budge.
Well I'll say this, idk anything about war, never served, but I qm a heavy civil construction superintendent and any tradesmen whom has the audacity to question my orders I immediately terminate! I need tradesmen who follow orders, if they ask for an explanation they cost me time and money. Questioning direct orders breeds insubordination.
I pride myself in bringing projects in on time and under budget. This happens by the expeditious completion of tasks.
....I imagine in times of war these same principles are amplified 7 fold.
....I'd of shot the deserter too.
@@sherryneglia4804 I will say this. Blindly following orders? Even if the tradesmen know or believe those orders to wrong-no questions, eh?
Even the military can question or disobey unlawful orders when the time presents.
That kind of obedience you are talking about was expected of the Nazi prison guards. They were only following "orders", too.
Not the same, I know. But blind is blind.
But desertion is a different animal.
@@sherryneglia4804 Yeah. Your rather witless word salad hardly deserves reply. But I'll leave this related comment for those who will either learn from me, or failing that, teach me something actually worthwhile. Firstly, I'm a senior architect with 37 years experience, so I am the guy who instructs YOU on a site. But here's a critical difference. Many architects are overwhelmed by their ego, like yourself, and see themselves as tin dictators. I have learnt quickly that listening to people, and respecting their opinion, has two advantages: 1) It predicates better outcome for common goals, and 2) one learns often from people 'below' you. So yes, I issue site instructions and certainly expect people like you to jump and carry them out, but AFTER consultation and discussion. Most often, my instructions represent a collective decision already agreed on. Blind obedience to 'authority' (as opposed to respect for skills and experience as I garner as a leader), is what produces Bad History. Which fools never learn from, and repeat. And yes. A critical difference. I WAS in an actual fucking war: The South African Apartheid War, which I was pushed into as frightened 17 year old boy, in 1978.It was where I learnt to despise the military system, the State, and irrational 'laws'. Principles, specifically MORAL principles, is what takes human society toward sensible progress. Which is why I started an initiative to fix the shit that Apartheid, and that monster State caused here, and the current State only exacerbates. Sensible human progress does NOT emanate from blind, lemming like obedience you seem to espouse. NEVER, ever. Neither does war, and the fools obeying that excuse for mass murder. Then people like you and I look at 'Private' Slovik through vastly different eyes of experience, insight, and perhaps some critical reason to boot. If I in a moment of sheer insanity, or displaced humour, ordered a simple, and frightened bricklayer to jump of a building site, and he obeyed, would you applaud his obedience to 'authority'...? I have contempt for people who even obey ME unquestioningly. Respect and kindness, and intelligent solution, is a better way of ordering human society than fear, brutality, and tyranny. And a healthy dose of COURAGE helps, to show a middle finger where needed, my most useful tool yet. About time we explore that route?
@@bobbygene8274 Except for 'desertion' (which is critical if one owns yourself in the midst of fools), fully agreed with you...!
Seems the Irish need to study spelling a bit better.
Success is about action. Action beats worry. Action beats fear. Action always wins. Start. Now.
Troops going AWOL was becoming a big problem in late 1944, and Eddie Slovak picked the worst possible time to do so, during the Battle of the Bulge. At there time there was very little sympathy from other Soldiers who had stayed at their posts and fought the Germans.
If only Gary Busey was able to give Eddie some inspirational acronym or speech about the day he become a man
They wouldn't allow him to write his location from the army base this would have been censored during the war.
he could write but it wouldn't get through..
You're all missing the point. Slovik was executed and the Army covered it up. His fellow soldiers didn't know about it. It wasn't in the news. Even his wife did not know the true circumstances. Executions were supposed to be a warning. It's no good if you keep it a secret.
Read the book by William Bradford Huie,also Stolen Valor.
Greatest generation a media myth.
Let's see he did not want to be in combat but he faced a firing squad mmm stupid his changes of surviving would have been a lot higher in combat then the firing squad.
@@yikes5790 I'm sure didn't figure that he would really be shot.
@@hemming57You got to look at time in history battle of the bulge was over a lot of soldiers died fighting so when Slovik stated he would runaway again if forced to fight Slovik sealed his fate. I would have voted for the firing squad he was stupid thinking because previous deserters got dishonorable discharges and prison sentences he would too.
@@yikes5790 My first post explains everything.
The 28th Infantry Division, known as 'The Bloody Bucket' Division is featured here. They're also featured in the 1998 movie When Trumpets Fade
You know why they acquired that name. ?
@yikes5790 yes because it looked like a bucket to the Germans plus the Division suffered so many casualties
Same unit I’m in
@@justinmartinez4976 How's the unit?
@@SuperColonel91awesome
Sheen is one of the greatest actors of all times.
Hands down and so was Ned Beatty (the chaplain).
"All times?"😄
@@bobloblaw2958 I think so. One of many. It is a funny expression, however: does that include the future?
He blew off the opportunity to have witnesses on his behalf at his court martial hearing.
Like he said, his criminal record made too many think of him as "disposable".
The Army is Stupid, murdered an innocent man because he didn't want to kill. AHs
Excellent movie .
Very sad to see an unarmed comrade die without any possibility of defending himself, no matter the circumstance, greetings from Argentina.
If he’d joined the army as a cook or working in the stores, he’d have been ok. So sad.
He was drafted
You should either not have the death sentence at all or you should have it and actually use it for it to be a deterrent.
The death penalty is an act of revenge, not justice, and is not a deterrent. Even today, murders, rapes, and other acts of violence still happen in states and countries that apply it. In the months following his execution, I wonder how many soldiers or sailors still deserted? In Korea? In Vietnam?
Eddie Slovik should have never been drafted. He was 4F and he also had a criminal record.
It was war ! 4F will be drafted
How many men deserted and were not shot?
Thousands.
Wow. Martin Sheen and Gary Busey, both look very young
That’s because they were. We all were……
He's the kid that didn't get invited to many birthday parties, the one teachers and other adult disliked at first sight, got jailed as a juvenile instead of a caring adult stepping up to advocate for him and get his life turned around. What a damn shame that people get tossed aside when he could have been assigned to KP or medical aide.
And the soldier doing KP or serving as a medical aide would've taken Slovik's place in the firing line. Yeah, that's fair!
$700 for a wedding dress in the 1940s? That's around $13K today!
War rationing drove up the price of wedding dresses during WWII as silk and nylon were used for parachutes
I WAS WONDERING WHAT THAT WOULD BE IN TODAYS PRICE! THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION! MICHAEL
I always thought that reprobate son of his Charlie, was most like him, but THIS film confirms that Emilio is much more like him.
The Monocled Mutineer series, did a better job of what firing squads are like.
If this movie is accurate, this guy was begging to be made an example of.
EXCELLENT MOVIE...
Hate the way soldiers are treated. Families too.
How many of his fellow soldiers died because he abandoned them when their lives were in danger ? That was the reason that he had to be executed . Also, when he was given the opportunity to reconsider his decision to go back to his unit, he stated that he would run away again. At that moment he sealed his own fate !
Well at least he was honest he would run again. Tbh a hard one. Jail him would probably be enough of an example. Australia had deserters and we never executed any. But we also never drafted soldiers all volunteers so it was seen as wrong to execute a volunteer. We only ever drafted in one war Vietnam at the behest of LBJ. Before that we prosecuted our war in Vietnam with the same troop numbers all on Volunteers. Have done so in every war, Korea and Malaya too whilst we still had national service running at the same time. So you could run Nasho's and get enough who either skipped N.S and went into the Army volunteering, or from N.S joining the Army. The only difference was the length of time in your swearing in ceremony. Aside from that all the same money, training conditions etc
He shouldn’t have been there in the first place. Like the warden said, he was always going to run.
Yes I agree if every soldier was like Slovik we wouldn't have had an army or soldiers could not depend on his fellow soldiers under fire. Yes his own words did his court-marshal but the loss of life of those serving in combat did his death execution.
NONE !
I don't agree with the execution 😅
I watched this movie on TV as a 12 year old. Actors the likes of Martin Sheen and Ned Beatty don't exist anymore.
My Dad, WWll combat decorated veteran, disliked Eisenhower because he allowed this boy to be shot.
Traitors should be shot
Serial numbers of the rifles they hollered out are incorrect, for the M1 Garand. There was no prefix letter.
Nice catch jason!
You are correct Sir.
You are incorrect for example: What do the markings “D28291-35” on an M1 Garand mean?
The markings “D28291-35” indicate that the rifle was manufactured by the Springfield Armory in 1935, with the serial number being “D28291.”
@@bill0551 The M1 wasn't even adopted until 1936 and the gas system was changed from gas trap to gas port about 1939. By Dec 1944, Springfield Armory was into the 3,000,000 serial number range. Those "D" prefix's are Drawing Numbers, meaning that they are the ID numbers for the parts from the blue-prints/drawings. The M1 receiver drawing number is on the outside, on the forward end near the breech, and under the wood line, out of view. The rifle's serial number is on the receiver heel, behind the rear sight. Many revisions were made during the war. I suggest you take a look at Scott Duff's Red Book.
@@jason60chev and you are wrong again
Such a sad story. I read the book then saw movie. My husband was in the Army at the time.
If the details are accurate this was a man who just could not under any circumstances deal with war. He was not a shirker, did not run away, just broke enough rules to stand trial and take whatever punishment he got. Very honest to himself and others, did not shirk anything like some have said here, he just could not do the war thing. I believe he was well received in the afterlife.
Except he did shirk his duties. And stated multiple times, with conviction, that if he were returned to a rifle company on the front lines, that he would runaway. There were a whole bunch of soldiers who were scared shitless and absolutely terrified on the frontlines. Yet they stayed and did their jobs regardless. Guaranteed that every one of them wanted to leave the fighting and go home just as bad. Slovik is no victim, and I have no pity for him
@@mattjack3983 On September 21, 1944, my Uncle Harden SGT. 331 INF. IND.
83 INF. DIV. died in combat outside St Lo France. He was 22 years old and left behind a wife and daughter.
@@mattjack3983 , so why were none of the other 2,864 tried and convicted deserters shot?
@@mattjack3983 I don't know whether you ever were in the army and if you were I don't know whether you were ever under fire but I was. I was in a war in Angola and subsequent to that in many other theaters of military operations flying in relief aid to victims of modern war and my heart broke for Pvt Slovick. Personally I believe he was a brave man, true to himself and despite his previous crimes he was honest with all those he came across.
@@Jay-Leigh863 yes I was, and yes I have. And if that is what your idea of "bravery" is, then i don't even know what to say about that. Sure, he was true to himself, and honest with everyone he came across. But that doesn't make him any less a coward. Bravery isn't the absence of fear. Its moving forward and doing what needs to be done in the face of. As a combat veteran, im having a very difficult time understanding how you, also a combat veteran, cannot see why I have no sympathy for this man, or see anything that he did as "brave". He was a soldier, and apart of a team. He had a job to do, and others, his teammates, who were almost certainly every bit as scared shitless and afraid as he was, counted on him to do his job. And he walked out on them. He deserted his post, and walked out on his team, without any guilt, shame, or remorse, and openly promised to do it again if he was sent back. Your idea of bravery is beyond my understanding, and having been in the military, and experiencing combat, it is very difficult for me to comprehend how you could possibly think this man was "brave" in any way. The truly brave soldiers were the ones who remained at their posts their, dug in on the front line, and refused to walk away from their jobs, and each other, even tho they were no doubt every bit as scared as PVT Slovik. You are told when you enlist that cowardice in the face of the enemy, going AWOL or deserting in attempts to avoid combat, can be punishable by death. He knew what he was doing when he deserted, and knew there would be consequences for his actions. He made his own decisions tho, and faced tho consequences for it. Sorry but I simply don't have it imey to feel sorry, or have any pity for him.
👍very sad film but good to watch
I remember this movie 🎬 when I was a teenager my first time seeing Martin Sheen who portrayed Pvt. Slovik , very interesting movie to learn 🤔 how the military 🪖 deals with their soldiers .
That's Gary Busey, by the way, Slovik's buddy...that's him.
Might be one of the first serious films he ever did.
31 minutes in the show a young Charlie Sheen
And the young pre-wacko Gary Busey.
Why I hate war 😭😭😭😭😭😭
I've never been under a artillery barrage and can't say what I would do. But I'll bet Jesus wept..
*Jack Vetra* - I have no idea what Jesus did, but I hunkered down and hoped I wouldn't die. It's frustrating when there's no target an Infantryman can shoot back at! The feeling of powerlessness isn't pleasant, but it engenders anger, which is useful the next time one has an enemy with whom to engage.
*De Oppresso Liber*
I had a Scud coming down on me, but it turned out to be at an angle where it hit 1/4 mile away in downtown Riyadh. Blew-up a used car lot, and broke all the windows above me. It wasn't real scary, but used all your senses (concussion, smell, hearing, taste).
At one time there were thousands of US deserters in Paris alone during WW2,but only one shot for desertion....
True, book Stolen Valor.
It was the officer in charge responsibility to deliver a coup de grace to head with a sidearm after the first volley initially failed. They prolonged his suffering unnecessarily.
I believe if he was a rich man's son outcome would have been totally different. The poor man is one that mostly fight and die in War.
So true @Colin, you'll find that they recruit in the poverty stricken states. He was no Senators son, no fortunate one..sad
A reminder that North-Vietnam had the same policy.
Not always the case, there were noblemen who were executed as few as that may have been. However the issue is how many rich men deserted.
@Holy Jones Huh? Patton slapped a man with shell shock in a field hospital, not a deserter. Not Patton's finest moment I must add. Almost cost him his career.
I think it is a double edged sword. The good: the military has always been an avenue of escape for people in low socioeconomic situations. A viable career choice, benefits, and 20 year retirement option. The bad: Unfortunately, when war rolls around, they find themselves on the front lines and yes, they are overly represented there.
When I think of Ned Beatty this is the role I always think of.
I'll bet 95% think of Deliverance
Anyone ever hear of the Uvalde police 👮♀️ department!?
If I were a parent I'd have my eye for an eye for cowardice
It's not just a movie, it's something that actually happened. While watching the movie, I felt like my heart was crushed between two stones. Any form of execution is inhumane.
Just think of all the pain and suffering that could have been avoided if all soldiers had the guts to say "NO!"
@NYPD Captain Shows how much you know. I am a veteran, and the son of one too!
Why is this movie not listed on Mr sheens movie biography?
This movie; I missed it, when it was made. Now, in 2022, I kinda get Martin Sheen's activism since. This was truly interesting, but no sympathy for cowardice, and conviction. My grandfather fought in 3 wars, and 2 branches of service. His first war in the Pacific, gave him radiation poisoning, and he became "A dead man walking" in Korea, and Nam with the Army. He refused treatment, and died a Soldier; never complaining...
I have mixed feelings about this movie. He asked to either kitchen duties or QM duties. There was no desertion whatsoever. They could even have tested him under fire and found that he froze due to his nerves. Therefore compassion could have shown. Not all soldiers are cut out to be in the frontline, some are just better at logistics.
@@petergillion7554 I agree with you, if this is accurate. I researched Eddie Slovik and it said that he was inept and they knew it yet sent him out anyway. Imo the United States has never been attacked or invaded yet our young men are sent to fight a war for the government so that they can continue to maintain world power. The choice is, get out there and maybe die or we'll kill you since the enemy doesn't get the chance. I may sound stupid bit this is how I feel
And all for what? So that the rich could always get richer
Nobody should be forced to fight in a war they didn’t start. Put presidents and Prime Ministers on the front line of the wars they start, and there would be no more war.
My grandmother lost all 5 of her brothers in the first world war. My father and mother had a terrible time in the second world war, (which lasted 6 years for we Brits) and never got over it. In my generation, I met a girl whose husband was killed in the Falklands War, which only lasted a few weeks. It’s not really about bravery or cowardice in my opinion. Nobody, even the bravest men and women, should be put through it. War is always inhumane and it either kills you or, if you survive, it ruins the rest of your life. Nobody should be forced to go through it by government officials who remain safe at home in their bunkers and who don’t give a damn about them.
@@alejandrocurado5134 there was that little stopping Hitler from conquering Europe thing.
The girl that plays his wife played the school teacher on the Waltons for years
Great movie, sad chapter in our history.
I served on active duty for 10 years and I can say the military in general are very good at complicating simple things and escalating fixable situations. If it's not a hard labor sentence, Private Slovik could have easily been assigned to the rear areas to do menial dirty jobs, like latrine duties, to help free more men to fight instead. Slovik should have been assigned to grave registration duties to help bury dead soldiers to teach him a lesson and make him realize the errors of his ways. Instead the Army simply made an example out of him.
The poor folks always get the short end of the stick. The rich and well-connected often could, would and and did dodge military drafts in previous wars, yet suffered no consequences. Some even ran for political office and colluded with our foreign enemies for financial gains.
As a vet myself, IK hw the sys. works. If he was an officer, nothing would hv happened 2 him.
When UR an enlisted member, tough luck. As they say "S_ _ _ rolls down hills."
That is why the enlisted ranks of the armed forces need a union 2 protect them.
Bcz the enlisted ranks R thought of as cannon fodder.
The Army did not make an example of him because they didn't publicize his execution.
@@Bob31415 The US Army did not need to publicize anything especially while the fighting was still going, but they already sent a strong warning to any would-be deserters by that decision. Words travel very fast and reach far and wide among troops in the military.
You are talking about 6 deferments, Biden, of course and his Chinese business partners.
The errors of his ways. The man was born a pacifist. You don't just change your ways. Were you fighting in a war?
I am a disabled Vietnam veteran and I have never believed that the U.S. Army should have executed Eddie Slovick. I think he was a troubled young man who missed his wife and just wanted to go back home. I believe it was inhumane to execute one of our own soldiers. 😢
So tragic
I was a senior in high school. I think it was a Hallmark presentation. Winter of 73-74. Posters were up at the school. Not your typical Hallmark fare. Sheen was charismatic. 2400 people at my high school and everyone talked and argued about the movie for days.
This is sad to me and should never have happened. They could have put him somewhere else and not in active duty
I was in the 112th 28th Inf Div. in the PAARNG . The same unit Eddie was in. He is still talked about even then. In the modern army he would never be allowed to be in the Army, not because of his civil convictions it is because of his mental health. His wife was denied any benefits and he was buried in a criminal cemetery. Marked with only a number not a name. Was later buried in the US
Yes. It's Bad enough that the Service, and War, make you go Crazy. If someone is Nuts in the FIRST Place, leave them Alone!
@@drpoundsign through time they were used to bolster numbers. During Vietnam War they were McNamara Idiots.. In my time they were known as 11 bullet stops . Because of the MOS for the destination of the infantry of the USA During that time. 11-B's . Some how he knew he was cannon fodder.
@@SMR3663 "Private Pyle...what are Yeww trying to DEWWW to mah Beloved Corp?!?"
"The Rain came from above, sideways, and even below us. We were in the Jungle looking for a man named 'Charlie.'"
Broke my heart.
My Grandfather,Corporal Patrick Floyd fought in WW1 and WW2 and also pleaded to be allowed do ANYTHING in the Korean war,it was denied. He joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and fought at the Dardanelles,Mons,Ypres,the Battle of Messines and many,many other engagements. He was a nightime trench specialist,he captured Prisoners with only a bayonet/cudgel and was himself bayonetted clean thru his hand,shot in the thigh,had shrapnel embedded in his skull and had his foot crushed by a big block of ice that slid off the table at the Mess kitchen he served in while recuperating far behind the lines. He was finally sent home as an invalid but returned to France D-day+17 driving logistics trucks at night with only slits for headlights,he went temporarily blind outside Arnhem (Sept 44) and was sent home again. He became an alcoholic to deal with the pains in his head and body and died in Dublin on November 11th 1965 after meeting with comrades. He collapsed as he staggered home on Dublins main street and as people surrounded him,an Ambulance was called. His medals were stolen off his coat as he died. I prefer to think of brave men like my Grandfather than Eddie Slovik,this movie is just pure leftist propaganda. I would love to have left Eddie Slovik in a room with General Patton for ten minutes,see what he would do to him.
Did he also assassinate heydrich shoot hitler in the bunker in Berlin.
Wow, your grandfather was an amazing and courageous man. That is sad about his medals being stolen. Perhaps someone will write his biography. I would love to learn more about his life and service. Simply extraordinary. Thank you for sharing ❤️.
Если тебе нравится война, то поезжай воевать на Украину, там ты получишь своё...
@@annb8296 I would have to agree. Some men thrive in War and its environments. Very strange, but then there are the Pvt Slovik types and Desmond Doss types as well.
@@vanguardactual1 Yes exactly. I'm not familiar with Desmond Doss. I will have to look him up. My father served in the army. He would always tell me stories of bravery. I don't personally know first hand what it's like to be in a war but it's important to think about all of the men in a troop. If one man runs away then that can weaken the whole group of soldiers. It is a big deal because it's not just about one man. One soldier is to cover another. When you run away you are letting your whole troop down. You just cannot do that in war. I don't wish death on anyone but in that respect Eddie was being selfish.
The cruel irony is that if Slovik had stayed with his unit, he would have been sent to fight in the Hurtgen Forest, where the 28th Infantry infamously took heavy casualties. His chances of surviving the war and seeing his wife again would not have been great regardless because of this, but it would have been better than the assured death he unwittingly chose through his admittedly naive actions. Sad story all around, though. On one hand it shows us that not everyone is cut out for military life, especially in wartime, and how conscription can absolutely tear lives apart. But on the flip side, there were hundreds of thousands of American kids just like Slovik who did not want to be there - so why should he get preferential treatment? They wanted to go back to their sweethearts, houses, cars, etc. just like anyone, but they stuck together and soldiered on through hell and high water. Still can't help but feel bad for Private Slovik, though. At least how this film portrayed him, it almost felt like taking a poor pup from its mother, expecting it to become a killer, then mercilessly putting it down for not being able to adapt.
Wiki: On December 9, Slovik wrote a letter to the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, pleading for clemency.[11] However, desertion had become a systemic problem in France, and the Battle of the Bulge, a surprise German offensive through the Ardennes, began on December 16 with severe US casualties, bypassing and surrounding many units and straining the morale of the infantry to the greatest extent yet seen during the war.
Eisenhower confirmed the execution order on December 23, noting that it was necessary to discourage further desertions. The sentence came as a shock to Slovik, who had been expecting a dishonorable discharge and a prison term, the same punishment he had seen given to other deserters from the division while he was confined to the stockade.
A sad story for sure. But I don't regard the decision to carryout this punishment as immoral or unwarranted. Yes, he was made an example, which Eisenhower had decided was needed in the face of rising desertions and the belief that the war was over, which it wasn't. I realize that being stupid is not a capital crime, but Slovik, who was openly gaming the system and counting on an easy outcome, brought it on himself. If word had spread among the troops of how brazenly he had sought to evade his duty, and he had been seen to be safe, warm, and relatively comfortable in a stockade, the desertion problem would have been much aggravated. At the time of these events, men were facing some of the most terrifying, bitterly cold sustained combat of the European war at the Battle of the Bulge.
@@edcottingham1 nobody should be forced to fight a fucking war if they're too cowardly. and if they desert, do they deserve to die? no. don't tell me he should've known better. way to victim blame. yes, it's unwise to run away from someone robbing you, but if you're too dumb to realize it, do you deserve to be shot? no. if i'm at your funeral and bring up the fact that you ran away like a moron, would that be warranted? i mean, it's the truth????
Also, the 28th Division, which he had been assigned took heavy casualties in the Battle of the Bulge, which was underway at this time. Needed every man on the line. There were desertions in the Ardennes, so if the Army needed to execute one, Slovik seemed to be the nearest one whose case had worked through the system.
I’ve never seen Charlie Sheen so young.
Great movie
Slovic basically walked into this. He was given a chance to recant his WRITTEN statement to desert. Eisenhower decided he had to make an example following the Battle of the Bulge where many of his fellow soldiers remained at their posts.
28th Division had been mauled in the Battle, his, and the Firing Squad’s unit.
Desertion was a massive problem in good war.
Press was censored c book stolen valor.
He was not suppose to be drafted (4F). They should have drafted some of the rich men who evaded draft for various reasons.
Sickening, shameful and disgraceful.
What's surprising about Slovik is that his reported behavior on the Liberty ship crossing over on the troop transport indicated he might have fared reasonably well had he asked to serving the navy.
A lot of big brave keyboard warriors in the comment section as usual, cracks me up.
Yeah. None of us know how we would behave...
Yes. Lol. 🤣🙃🤣
You mean keyboard judge, jury, and hangman. ☠☠☠
When I first saw this I was a Youngster did not really understand it now I think I do they gave him any chances to recant but he just refused and unfortunately it cost him his life
Only a small percentage of combat troops did the killing, so just seeing combat doesn’t mean they were okay with killing in general.
I've read in 1947 or 48 study where US soldiers who were in a position to shoot to kill in battle only 2 percent ever fired intending to kill. That's not including cooks and drivers. I mean if 100 men were in a battle only 2 tried killing anyone
@@nickdarr7328 I don't agree with that statement (or should I say article). Although people by nature know that killing another human is inherently wrong, put them in a kill or be killed situation day after day and things change rapidly. Also, the longer a soldier serves in combat, the more indescribable things he sees. Killing becomes second nature unfortunately. Case in point, Marines machine gunning the dead bodies of Japanese soldiers in the Pacific. Nice American boys change when one of their buddies gets killed by a Japanese soldier playing possum and I can't say I blame them. That's why I go out of my way to praise any combat vets I come across. They all left a large part of themselves "over there" even if they never received a physical wound.
@@ronlackey2689 Well it was a study done from interviewing thousands of ww2 combat vets. If you ask the German soldiers it approaches zero the percentage of riflemen who fired their Mauser. They expected the MG 42 (scary machine gun) to do all the work. Americans expected artillery and tanks and to a degree in ww2 air strikes to do the job. So keeping your head down and firing unaimed shots towards the enemy seems good enough. Remember to aim at an actual enemy is most likely exposing yourself to the enemy. The attitude is what difference is my one rifle going to make compared to a load of Sherman tanks and British fighter bombers. So I'll keep my head down
@@nickdarr7328 I would agree that unaimed shots in static warfare were pretty normal. However, mobile warfare Clearing houses, attacking strongpoints (bunkers, pillboxes, etc) not so much. You 'nade a room and bust in you'd better shoot the other guy first.
@@ronlackey2689 how often do you think this urban combat actually occurred? Civilians, even enemy civilians were absolutely untouchable and protected by every right guaranteed an American citizen in ranch style house in a Chicago suburb
His wife’s $700 wedding dress would cost $13,000 in today’s money! WTH 😮
Some years ago I saw a Martin Sheen movie that used the footage of the scene immediately before the actual execution.
It was shown before Martin Sheen -- his character an actor -- took the podium speaking to an enthusiastic audience.
At the end of the clip, his character yelled out "Let there be LIGHT!" then they turned on the auditorium lights.
Does anyone remember the name of that movie?
The Padre's remark to the order the order to reload.
The execution occurred after the USA's most costly year in WW2, and about a month after many Americans experienced their first Christmas without a lost family member. Although the war had entered its last year in Europe, Japan was ahead and people had grown intolerant.
I watched this movie originally 50 years ago with someone who was in the Marine Corps who was absolutely astonished that Slovik acted the way that he did, confessing and all. Has any more US military personnel been executed since 1945 in the myriad of US wars and conflicts since then?
He first ASKED if running from the front - exposing his comrades to danger - constituted desertion. He was told YES. He ran anyhow. His buddy came after him, gave him the chance to go back to the front, no questions asked, but he refused and kept running. I remember seeing this as a civilian and was sympathetic. Now that I'm a combat wounded veteran I have no sympathy. Typical 70s peacenik twaddle.
How does your sympathy run with the 21000 other deserters who were not executed?
Agreed.
Scapegoating Slovik evidently didn't work.
The deserters, captured, and subsequent defectors during the Korean Conflict, and then the draft resistors, expatriates of the Vietnam War illustrate that point.
Some of our fellow countrymen aren't cut out for fighting in battle.
And you are RIGHT! Slovik being "unserviceable" may have unnecessarily cost the lives of his buddies, but that's something that should've been evaluated during his indoctrination and traning.
Someone passed him through and it kicked off a controversy that is still being argued over.
Thanks God no one else since has been executed by court martial for being too scared.
[Self Edit]
I'm remise...
Thank you for your service Sgt.
US Army 61/B
uscg SN/BM
1980-1984
Most people don't want to die in a mud hole thousands of miles from home. I don't blame them.
Hey Bubba did you know that more Americans have been killed BY Americans in AMERICA than ALL the Americans killed in ALL the foreign wars combined that Americans have fought in,mainly thanks to the second amendment...🤑👎🙈🙉🙊🤯😵
I'D LIKE TO AMEND MY PREVIOUS COMMENT! AS A FORMER UNITED STATES ARMY 🪖☮️🇺🇲 MILITARY POLICE OFFICER WHO SIMPLY PUT SOUGHT JUSTICE NOT INJUSTICE NO MATTER RACE COLOR OR CREED I HAVE TO PUT ALOT OF BLAME ON THE DRAFT BOARD FOR RE- CLASSIFING SLOVIK. I BELIEVE HIS WIFE ASKED THE CLERK IF THE CLASSIFICATION COULD BE CHANGED TO FIT FOR DUTY. THE CLERK RESPONDED IN SUCH A FASHION THAT SLOVIK FELT IT WOULD REMAIN NOT FIT FOR DUTY. MAYBE A HARDSHIP DISCHARGE BECAUSE OF THE PREDICAMENT HE LEFT HIS WIFE TO DEAL WITH! I WILL SAY THIS REQUIESCAT IN PACE EDDIE SLOVIK! MICHAEL!❤🎉😢😮😊
The generals murdered thousands by constantly throwing soldiers into the frey that was the Green Hell yet Eddie Slovik goes AWL and he is executed.
I served my 4 years in the navy and completed my contract
I liked the clean sheets and hot meals too.
@ Steven Goodman
Well that’s great. I served 6 years in the Army, and enjoyed it very much. But the military is not for everyone.
@@jogman262 I was born and raised in it.
My take on it now is it's a scam.