I'm not a big Civil War buff so I don't know if it was close to accurate or not. Nevertheless, I found it to be a spellbinding production.
During the credits I saw a name that seemed oddly familiar. Much of the action takes place in the House chambers. At one point, several ladies are seen shouting from the gallery. One of those ladies is Jean Kennedy Smith, former Ambassador to Ireland and sister to John, Bobby and Teddy Kennedy.
Kevin Kline appears very briefly as a wounded soldier. Epatha Merkerson has a surprise role near the movie's end. One of the actors playing Beanpole Burton is actually Raynor Scheine (born Raynor Johnson). Lastly, both Lincoln and Grant are portrayed by non-Americans.
At one point Lincoln discusses the compass he used during his surveying days. Later, he has a chat with an engineer and gets into a discussion of Euclid's writings and math theory. One nonsensical part of the movie has a lobbyist take a note from the House chambers and run with it to Lincoln in the White House, then run back with a response from Lincoln.
Trailer
[flash width=640 height=360] http://www.youtube.com/v/6Eo766iZZ0c?version=3&hl=en_US [/flash]
For his surveying trips he had bought a horse, saddle and bridle from William Watkins for $57.886,(?) and for nonpayment Watkins on April 26, 1834, got judgement in court and levied on Lincoln’s personal possessions. It looked as though he would lose his surveying instruments. Then Bill Green showed up and turned in a horse on the Watkins judgment - and James Short came from Sand Ridge to the auction Lincoln was too sad to attend and bid in the saddle, bridle, compass and other surveying instruments. When Short brought them to Lincoln it hit him as another surprise in his young life. Short liked Lincoln as a serious student, a pleasant joker, and said that on the farm "he husks two loads of corn to my one."’
Lincoln's instruments.
Lincoln...
Wendell and I are going to go and see it tomorrow, I think. I got two free movie passes for the movies by moms house so I might as well use them up!!! B-)
> At one point Lincoln discusses the compass he used during his surveying days.
"A compass, I learnt when I was surveying, it’ll – it’ll point you true north from where you’re standing, but it’s got no advice about the swamps and deserts and chasms that you’ll encounter along the way. If in pursuit of your destination you plunge ahead, heedless of obstacles, and achieve nothing more than to sink in a swamp, what’s the use of knowing true north?"
One of the best moments of the movie. The way that you see that statement sink into Tommy Lee Jones expression is awesome...
I haven't seen it yet, but would like to. From what I've read, it's a bunch of revisionist history.
It's very well balenced I thought, for the view from the side of the oppressors..
Yes, a good movie.
One part that seemed out of place was the interaction between Lincoln and the two Negro(Black)soldiers. No Black person would have ever talked like that to the President, especially a soldier. Very unreal event for the time. Seemed to be the director's revisionist version of how he would have liked to have seen events at that time. Seems typical of alot of Hollywood directors.
I'm trying to not be political, but........
Kobe Bryant Quote on Lincoln
The LA Lakers took a team trip to view "Lincoln". Afterwards, Kobe made the following quote.
Kobe on the team's viewing of "Lincoln": "I don't know if the guys knew who he was ... It came as a big shock to them when he was killed"
Well, the review I read pointed out that Lincoln, contrary to the film, did not spend a lot of effort getting the 13th Amendment passed. He did however, make an effort to get an earlier 13th amendment passed, which would have protected slavery forever.
Like I said, I have not seen the movie and I am not well enough versed in the history to have an actual opinion at this point.
Kobe Bryant Quote on Lincoln
There has to be a joke in there somewhere.
The movie is based on Doris Kerns Goodwin's book .. Team of Rivals
and the movie puts focus on a small part of Linclon's role as President,
passing of the 13th amendment. Read the book, place yourself in the 1860's
and learn something about the times.
Good movie.. Very Good Book!
Yeah, Kerns-Goodwin is a Lincoln lover of the highest order. If you like a historial revisionist tale, her works are for you. If you want some of the actual historical truth, read up on Thomas Dilorenzo.
SWMBO and I enjoyed the movie, the story, and the acting very much. I think Daniel Day Lewis did a remarkable job.
> Yeah, Kerns-Goodwin is a Lincoln lover of the highest order. If you like a historial revisionist tale, her works are for you. If you want some of the actual historical truth, read up on Thomas Dilorenzo.
>
> Here is his take on the film.
Good thing you haven't made up your mind yet, Tommy.!! haha.. you've been ranting about Lincoln for years, dude. we get it.
But have you read his actual speeches? or just the rantings of someone on "lew rockwell".. thanks for the laugh.
some great reviews of Tommy's book reference
I have not seen the movie but I expect it is from the viewpoint of the aggressor Northern States and their Declaration of War and unwarranted invasion of the peace loving and honorable Southern States.
> I have not seen the movie but I expect it is from the viewpoint of the aggressor Northern States and their Declaration of War and unwarranted invasion of the peace loving and honorable Southern States.
I just love the humor on this site!! thanks again.
I said I hadn't seen the movie. I have, however, read the book. Kerns-Goodwin is an unabashed Lincoln lover. My point is that I don't know enough about the actual historical record to refute the part of the book the movie is based on. I included the review by Dilorenzo to point out that there are people out there that think Kerns-Goodwin doesn't know what she's talking about.
You criticize me for linking to a review of the movie from the author of two books about Lincoln, and then attempt to refute the books by included anonymous reviews from Amazon.com. For all I know, Kerns-Goodwin herself is behind those reviews.
