The Anderson Trial

[RobertScorpio]

This is currently available via NETFLIX streaming...

Stars Shatner, Cameron Mitchell, Buddy Ebsen, Richard Basehart, Jack Cassidy, even a young Martin Sheen!!..talk about cast of hammy actors...even the skipper from Gilligan' Island is in this play directed by George C Scott...

I am halfway through, and you know what? Its not that bad..very hammy, but very entertaining..if you can see this, I think you should....Its a war trial that was real, and took place 4 months after Lincoln was assasinated...

Rob

 

[Supervisor 194]

I'm a big fan of The Andersonville Trial --- especially Shatner's and Basehart's performances. I don't know that I'd consider any of the performances as 'hammy'; I think theatrical (in the best sense of the word) would be a better descriptor, and they fit the tone of the piece very well. Andersonville, despite its period setting is a timeless story that has become even more relevant today as issues of the treatment of prisoners of war and individual responsibility in the military versus chain of command are much closer to us (well, those of us in the USA anyway) than in many, many years. It's probably my favorite non-Trek performance by Shatner, well worth checking out.

 

[Mistral]

I think it is done more like a play than a tv show-which gives it an interesting atmosphere. Either way, its excellent and, as pointed out, relevant.

 

[RobertScorpio]

I think it is done more like a play than a tv show-which gives it an interesting atmosphere. Either way, its excellent and, as pointed out, relevant.

Agreed..and I meant hammy in a good way because, as I said all over this board, I love over the top acting. And this cast is really good..you can really see them competing i think..

Rob

 

[Harvey]

I've actually seen this, and it's pretty good. A solid role for a young Shatner.

 

[RobertScorpio]

I was struck, and maybe its only me, with how much GEORGE C SCOTT looks like an older version of SEAN PENN. Even the way his face makes expressions..

Anyway, we finished it and yes it is very important viewing, when taken into context with modern events. I believe it was filmed during Viet Nam. So it definately had meaning then as well...

Rob

 

[Kail]

I own this, and love it. Great period piece. Also check out the TV movie Andersonville. Stirring stuff.