George C. Scott directed this made-for-television adaptation of Saul Levitt 's award-winning stage drama, based on the true story of Andersonville Prison, a notorious Confederate prisoner of war camp in operation during the Civil War. In 1865, Captain Harry Wirz ( Richard Basehart ) is brought to trial to answer charges of murder and crimes against humanity pertaining to administration of the Andersonville Prison, where 13,700 P.O.W.'s met their death due to inadequate medical care, unchecked spread of dysentery, shoddy sanitation, and lack of proper food. While Wirz and his defense team contend the Captain was only following order and unable to prevent the tragedy, prosecutors counter with the argument that the chain of military command did not supercede his moral and ethical obligations to the men under his watch. The stellar supporting cast includes Cameron Mitchell , William Shatner , Jack Cassidy , Buddy Ebsen , and Martin Sheen . — Mark Deming