“Lincoln”
is not a war movie, but it is a Civil War movie. It was directed by Steven Spielberg and was
under development for about ten years.
Based on the Doris Kearns Godwin book Team of Rivals, which was
about Lincoln and his cabinet, Spielberg was actually working on the movie
before the book came out. The screenplay
was by Tony Kirshner who spent years researching the topic. He took some artistic license as is to be
expected, but his heart was in the right place.
Spielberg’s first choice for Lincoln was Daniel Day-Lewis but he
declined the role. Liam Neeson was
tabbed, but after the movie was slow getting off the ground, he dropped out
claiming he was now too old. Day-Lewis
then reconsidered. He was rewarded with
the Best Actor Academy Award. The film
also won for Production Design. It was
nominated for ten other awards including Best Picture, Director, Supporting
Actress (Sally Field), and Supporting Actor (Tommy Lee Jones). “Lincoln” was a box office success and was
critically acclaimed. As a post script,
one impact of the film was the final unanimous ratification of the 13th
Amendment. It seems that when
Mississippi belatedly ratified it in 1995, the paperwork was not filed
properly. Prodding from two academicians
caused the Mississippi Secretary of State to rectify the error in 2013.
The
movie covers the last four months of Lincoln’s life. It concentrates on his quest to pass the 13th
Amendment. Although more famous for his
Emancipation Proclamation, that Presidential edict did not actually end
slavery. It declared that the slaves in
the Confederate-occupied South were free.
The 13th Amendment officially ended slavery, but it was not
an easy sell to Congress. Lincoln had to
use all of his considerable political skills to get the amendment through the
House of Representatives. The film
chronicles the machinations that led to the climactic vote. Lincoln is a realpolitician who allows
Secretary of State Seward (David Strathairn) to employ a trio of political
operatives led by the earthy Bilbo (James Spader). The trio prove that the “spoils system” was
still alive and well in 1865. Lincoln
also allies with Republican Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones) who believes
that blacks deserve equality along with freedom. Not all his colleagues in the House agree with
his enlightened philosophy, as the spirited debates in the chamber depict. There is plenty of 19th Century
trash-talking. In the midst of all this
political maneuvering, there is a back-stairs at the White House arc that
portrays the dynamics of the Lincoln family.
The death of their son Tad weighs on Abe and Mary. The aged look of Lincoln can be attributed to
prosecuting the worst war in American History and being married to Mary.
“Lincoln”
finished #13 in box office in 2012, which was very good for a movie of its
type. It was the only movie in the top
twenty that was non-fiction. Three of
the thirteen were superhero movies, two were teenage trilogy movies, and four
were animated children’s movies.
“Lincoln” was the most popular adult drama and its success proves that
you can make money with a movie that has a lot of talking in it. Although I can imagine some audience members
might have squirmed like Lincoln’s cabinet when he launched into one of his
homespun stories. The movie is dialogue
driven and manages to be set in the Civil War and yet avoid the temptation to
throw in explosions. Kirshner’s script
is entertaining in its blend of Lincoln’s brilliant wordsmanship and the
political argot of the time. Did you
know they used the f-word back then?
They also used the term “fatuous nincompoop”. That bon mot was uttered in one of the lively
scenes in the House. Jones gets the best
lines as Stevens, but the rest of his distinguished colleagues make you wish C-SPAN
had a Civil War archive. Apparently,
back then, they did not use the phrase “my dear friend” before they reamed
them.
The
movie is almost flawless in its execution.
It is good Spielberg. Although
the start had me concerned with its lame Spielbergian recital of the
“Gettysburg Address” by a white and then black soldier. After that schmaltzy opening, the movie
settles down to straightforward narrative of the events surrounding the passage
of the amendment. The narrative is
extremely well-acted by a top-notch cast.
Day-Lewis richly deserved his Oscar and even shambles like Lincoln. Fields is great (she gained twenty pounds for
the role) and gets a scene where she sarcastically tears Stevens a new one. (Sadly, this did not happen.) Mary’s insanity is only alluded to. Jones and Strathairn are strong and there are
plenty of familiar character actors to flesh out the film. The cinematography is showy with the
appropriately dark interiors masterly lit.
There is some bravura camerawork, like a domestic scene where Lincoln
can be seen in the foreground and in the background in a mirror. Nicely done. The sets are authentic.
As
far as historical accuracy, I found varying opinions on this issue. It depended on how nitpicky the historian
wanted to be. But, surprisingly, I also
found that there is some disagreement about some of the key facts in the
story. For instance, one of the most
provocative plot developments is Stevens shacking up with his black
housekeeper. This seemingly Hollywood
invention is based on a well-known rumor/calumny of the time. Some historians are convinced it was
true. I buy it. Here is a list of some of the major “are you
kidding me?” moments.
1. Lincoln did
have a recurring dream about being the captain of a ship. The movie implies it was an analogy of the
passage of the amendment, but most historians logically feel he was
subconsciously associating the ship with the war effort.
2. Lincoln did
tell stories and the ones included in the movie, like the Ethan Allen story,
were among his repertoire.
3. By the time
of the movie, Lincoln had culled his cabinet of naysayers, so the movie overplays
their opposition.
4. Seward did
employ some shady dealers, but we don’t know whether they actually bribed
Congressman. Lincoln certainly did not
meet with them.
5. Congressmen
would not have addressed each other directly in debates, but hurrah (huzzah?)
for Hollywood on this one. Also, the
vote would have been by paper ballot.
Ditto.
6. The Robert
Lincoln arc is accurate. He did insist
on enlisting and Abe did get Grant to put him on his staff. Abe would not have slapped him, even though
their relationship was frosty.
7. The peace
delegation arc was accurate, but they would not have been met by black
soldiers.
8. There were
blacks in the balcony for the final vote (one was Frederick Douglass’ son
Charles), but they would not have entered en masse. Mary did not attend.
9. Tad was at a
performance of “Aladdin” when his father’s shooting was announced.
Overall,
I consider the movie to be commendably accurate. This, added to its excellent entertainment
value, makes it an outstanding movie. It
is a must-see for every American. Even
if (especially if?) you are a Confederate statue defender.
GRADE
= A
Yes, it was an awesome movie. Why doesn't hollyweird take a note on the money it made and give us MORE movies like it!
ReplyDeleteBecause Daniel Day-Lewis has retired.
DeleteAbout Lincoln's dream about being the captain of a ship. On the day of his assassination, Lincoln told his cabinet that he had dreamed of being on a "singular and indescribable vessel that was moving with great rapidity toward a dark and indefinite shore", and that he'd had the same dream before "nearly every great and important event of the War" such as the victories at Antietam, Murfreesboro, Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Lincoln would always see the dream as a sign of good news to come about the war.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteBittersweet history fact: Abraham Lincoln died, according to press reports, with a smile on his face.
ReplyDeleteAbraham Lincoln’s death can be described as bittersweet. As he died his breathing grew quieter, his face more calm. According to some accounts, at his last drawn breath, on the morning after the assassination, he smiled broadly and then expired. Historians, most notably author Lee Davis have emphasized Lincoln's peaceful appearance when and after he died: "It was the first time in four years, probably, that a peaceful expression crossed his face." Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Lincoln Administration, Maunsell Bradhurst Field wrote, "I had never seen upon the President's face an expression more genial and pleasing." The President’s secretary, John Hay, saw "a look of unspeakable peace came upon his worn features".
It also seems appropriate that at the theater Lincoln was laughing when the fatal shot was fired. He had also suffered the death of two sons, one while carrying the burden of the war, and for the first time in four years he was relaxed. When he finally gave up the struggle for life at 7:22 A.M., his face was fixed in a smile, according to one bedside witness, treasury official, a smile that seemed almost an effort of life. Lincoln has passed on smoothly and contentedly, his facial expression suggesting that inner peace that prevailed as his final state of mind.
Thanks. Good stuff. He certainly went out on top and I doubt Reconstruction would have put a smile on his face.
DeleteDespite the unfortunate events that lead to Lincoln's death, one could argue that since the war was finally ending, he had finally fulfilled his life's purpose and was able to die happy.
DeleteHe certainly died at the right moment for his historical reputation. Although it was a disaster for the nation that Johnson, not Lincoln, was President for the start of Reconstruction, there is little doubt Lincoln's reputation would have been tarnished if he had to deal with that challenge.
DeleteI think this sums up the last conscious moments of Lincoln's life. During the play, I see Abraham Lincoln in his last moments of consciousness. I see him holding Mary Todd’s hand and enjoying the play. I hear the line, “Don’t know the manners of good society, eh? Well I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, old gal. You sockdologizing old man-trap.”
DeleteIn that moment though, I don’t see John Wilkes Booth in the shadows firing his gun. I don’t see an assassin releasing all of his hate and anger at an unarmed man. Instead, I see the joy and happiness in Abraham Lincoln’s eyes as reacts to the play with a deep and full laugh.
The death of Abraham Lincoln is an tragic event but for a brief of moment, I instead always see the 16th President, in his last moments, engaging in a well deserved laugh. He took the sound of laughter with him to to the next world.
As someone who has always been fond of President Lincoln, it saddens me that in recent years, many people have misunderstood his views on race and taken a common terrible myth that he may have actually been a racist. I'm referring, of course, to one or two quotes from the Lincoln-Douglas debates, used by anti-Lincoln writers to show his "racism". Well, he might not match up to what we would expect of a leader today -- but he was actually FAR ahead of most in his day. These Lincoln critics often DO include REAL quotes by Lincoln... only they cherry pick, ignoring OTHER things he said, and often in the VERY SAME SPEECH that provide a different perspective. They also tend to pick EARLIER quotes (e.g., the Lincoln-Douglas debates) and not consider any evidence that his views CHANGED over time.
ReplyDeleteThere's a collection of quotes and perspectives, including those of Lincoln scholars and from people who KNEW him (like Frederick Douglass!) which may start to give you a more honest picture.
Since they cite the Lincoln-Douglas debates, I'd encourage anyone willing to listen and decide for themselves to read MORE of them (they are readily available online and in many books)... and wherever you see a NEGATIVE view of blacks expressed (which if you look closely is only a very few places), READ ON and see what ELSE he said at the time. He also DID believe that slavery was absolutely morally WRONG -- a wrong against fellow HUMAN BEINGS, and he argued repeatedly, from at least 1854 on, that the rights referred to in the Declaration DO belong to blacks as well. He showed NO animosity toward them. Some other examples:
* Lincoln insisted on EQUAL pay for black soldiers
* When the South refused to include blacks in the prisoner exchanges, Lincoln suspended the exchanges
And by the end of his Presidency, he clearly regarded many quite highly (even suggesting that at least the educated ones, and those who had fought in the war, deserved the right to vote [John Wilkes Booth's hearing Lincoln say this was apparently the 'final straw' that pushed him from his kidnapping plan to one of assassination.])
* I highly suggest that people find the FULL text of the typical 'anti-black' quotes in the L-D debates, and read the WHOLE of the speech they appear in. If you are at all open-minded, you'll see that the cherry-picked quotes you've been shown very much misrepresent his viewpoint.
Sorry, it's just that this part of Lincoln and history has become so distorted in recent years that it's sad some people have suggested that he might have been racist and not "the Great Emancipator" he has always been painted as. Perhaps he sort of was earlier (he certainly wasn't a saint, and we shouldn't paint him as such), but it's quite clear that his views changed over time, and he came to began to advocate SUFFRAGE for blacks, at least for those who were educated or who had fought for their country.
As one historian put it, "To apply 20th century beliefs and standards to an America of 1858 and declare Abraham Lincoln a "racist" is a faulty formula that unfairly distorts Lincoln's true role in advancing civil and human rights. By the standards of his time, Lincoln's views on race and equality were progressive and truly changed minds, policy and most importantly, hearts for years to come."
Outstanding! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how the film portrays a number of less-known characters from this period. Secretary of State Seward especially benefits from this. In most abridged histories he, like the rest of Lincoln's cabinet, tends to come off like an ineffectual buffoon. The movie shows him to be a competent man who Lincoln enjoys working with. It's also a treat to hear Lincoln talk with a high wavery voice as we're told he did, and as you say I can see how his rustic storytelling might have been less enjoyable to some of his cabinet officers after a while than it was to me in the audience.
ReplyDeleteSeward deserves this movie because he is historically locked in as the man who tried to be the man behind the throne when Lincoln first took over. Once he realized that Lincoln was his own man and was more than competent, he backed off and served loyally.
Delete