Lincoln Movie Blurb by Shale November 17, 2012 I went to see this movie today because I had seen the trailers and heard that it was well researched and well made by director Steven Spielberg. Also, I like costume drama movies, especially the 19th Century. I was surprised this evening to discover that this movie was two and a half hours long - it didn't seem long at all. While it opens on a heated hand-to-hand battle in the mud between Union & Confederate soldiers, most of the action takes place in the House of Representatives as the 13th Amendment is being fought over. Oh, you don't know what is so important about the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? Then you should avoid this movie (Or go see it and learn something). This movie is not a lifelong biopic about honest Abe, but takes place in 1865 during the last half year of his life, while he struggles to end the devastating conflict and also rid our entire nation of slavery. I haven't done extensive research yet, but this movie looks quite true to reality, as much as one can get from just writings and a few still fotografs. And Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln is so convincing I felt as if I had time-traveled to the late 19th Century. Lincoln & Daniel Day-Lewis There is a Website that compares the cast with the actual ppl and you should check it out. That research alone makes the movie credible. http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat...ompared_to_real_life_inspirations_photos.html It would be hard to tell you a storyline about this movie. It is almost a documentary of how the players in Washington squabbled and postured and cajoled each other over this issue of making slavery permanently illegal in the United States. Anticipating reunion with the Confederate States after the war, the Emancipation Proclamation would no longer be valid and could be overturned by the Southern States' votes. This was the desperate reason the amendment had to be passed within a month because the war was about to be won by the United States. We know that slavery itself was ended in 1865, but as we of the 20th Century know, the other issues remained unresolved for the next century. But, it was a milestone. I would recommend this movie for anyone with any interest in the history of the United States during this trying time. I would also recommend it for the engrossing acting by the excellent cast: Mary Todd Lincoln (Sally Field) Robert Todd Lincoln (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones) As well as William H. Seward (David Strathairn), Ulysses S. Grant (Jared Harris), Francis Preston Blair, Sr. (Hal Holbrook), Fernando Wood (Lee Pace). Alexander Hamilton Stephens (Jackie Earle Haley - who looks spot on for the VP of the CSA).
I'll see it when it's available on DVD. Lincoln has been a hero of mine (since I first read about him at 13). Plus what an awesome cast. It's especially nice to see Sally Field in something new. She almost always gives a memorable performance. Not bad for a former FLYING NUN. QP
cant wait for lincoln to be released - january 2013 - this side of the pond. cant remember doing much about american history at school, i may have to do a little digging on abe. i have a feeling the academy will like this, they do love biopics.
