Andersonville Trial, The

This post-civil war court martial drama focuses on the trial of a Confederate officer who ran the notorious prisoner of war camp in Andersonville, Georgia, where over 14,000 Union prisoners died from disease, starvation and neglect. The defendant, Captain Henry Wirz, justified his actions with a plea that he was only following orders. He believed he was relieved of any personal responsibility because he was performing his duty. The Army prosecutor contends, however, that moral men must rebel against barbaric or inhumane orders?even if they are within the framework imposed by military discipline. This riveting real-life story has elements of ?Inherit the Wind,? ?The Caine Mutiny?,?A Few Good Men,? and especially the Nuremberg and Eichmann war crime trials. George C. Scott, who had played a starring role in the original 1959 Broadway production, directs the Hollywood Television Theatre adaptation, and prompts uniformly strong acting from a brilliant cast that includes William Shatner, Martin Sheen, Richard Basehart, Jack Cassidy, Buddy Ebsen and Alan Hale. Won the 1971 Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Program - Drama or Comedy (Lewis Freedman (producer)) and won the 1971 Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama, Adaptation (Saul Levitt (writer)) and won the 1971 Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction and Electronic Camerawork (Gordon Baird (technical director); Tom Ancell (cameraman); Rick Bennewitz (cameraman); Larry Bentley (cameraman); Jack Reader (cameraman)) Nominated for the 1971 Emmy Awards for both Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction (Ken Dettling (lighting director)) and Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Jack Cassidy)
1971, Drama, 150 minutes, Color
Cast: William Shatner, Martin Sheen, Richard Basehart, Jack Cassidy, Buddy Ebsen, Alan Hale, Cameron Mitchell, Albert Salmi, Ray Stricklyn
Written by: Saul Levitt
Directed by: George C. Scott
Executive Producer: Lewis Freedman
Productions Stills
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