Here is a list of notable films about Abraham Lincoln:
“Young Mr. Lincoln”, 1939
Director: John Ford
Directed by John Ford, this film stars Henry Fonda as Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his early years as a young lawyer in Illinois, long before he became President.
Starring: Henry Fonda, Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver, Arleen Whelan, Eddie Collins, Pauline Moore, Richard Cromwell, Donald Meek, Dorris Bowdon, Eddie Quillan;
Production year: 1939;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Young Mr. Lincoln” on the website imdb.com
“Abe Lincoln in Illinois”, 1940
Director: John Cromwell
Raymond Massey plays Abraham Lincoln in this drama that traces Lincoln's rise from his beginnings in Kentucky to the eve of his election as President of the United States.
Starring: Raymond Massey, Gene Lockhart, Ruth Gordon, Mary Howard, Minor Watson, Alan Baxter, Harvey Stephens, Howard Da Silva, Dorothy Tree, Aldrich Bowker;
Production year: 1940;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Abe Lincoln in Illinois” on the website imdb.com
“Lincoln”, 2012
Director: Steven Spielberg
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this biographical drama stars Daniel Day-Lewis in an Academy Award-winning performance as President Lincoln. The film focuses on the final four months of Lincoln's life, including his efforts to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to abolish slavery.
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones, John Hawkes, Jackie Earle Haley, Bruce McGill;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 150 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Lincoln” on the website imdb.com
“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”, 2012
Director:
This action fantasy film offers an alternative, supernatural history, portraying Lincoln as a vampire hunter. It is a fictionalized account inspired by the novel of the same name.
Starring: Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rufus Sewell, Marton Csokas, Jimmi Simpson, Joseph Mawle, Robin McLeavy, Erin Wasson;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: horror, fantasy, action;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,9;
More information about the film “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” on the website imdb.com
“The Conspirator”, 2010
Director: Robert Redford
Directed by Robert Redford, this historical drama recounts the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination, focusing on Mary Surratt, the only woman charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial.
Starring: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Kevin Kline, Evan Rachel Wood, Tom Wilkinson, Justin Long, Danny Huston, James Badge Dale, Colm Meaney, Alexis Bledel;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, crime, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 123 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
“Abraham Lincoln”, 1930
Director: D.W. Griffith
Directed by D.W. Griffith, this biographical film covers the life of Abraham Lincoln from his early years to his presidency and assassination.
Starring: William L. Thorne, Lucille La Verne, Helen Freeman, Otto Hoffman, Walter Huston, Edgar Dearing, Una Merkel, Russell Simpson, Charles Crockett, Kay Hammond;
Production year: 1930;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,6;
“Lincoln”, 2012
Director: Steven Spielberg
This television movie features Sam Waterston as Abraham Lincoln and Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Todd Lincoln, following the personal and political life of the President.
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones, John Hawkes, Jackie Earle Haley, Bruce McGill;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 150 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Lincoln” on the website imdb.com
Please note that this list contains a selection of films, and there might be other films or made-for-TV movies on the subject of Abraham Lincoln.
In conclusion, films about Abraham Lincoln continue to capture the fascination and reverence of audiences as they explore the multifaceted legacy of one of America’s most iconic presidents. Whether they spotlight his political acumen, personal struggles, or the profound impact of his leadership during the Civil War, these cinematic portraits contribute to our collective understanding of a man who is as much a symbol of American ideals as he is a subject of historical scrutiny. By blending historical accuracy with creative storytelling, filmmakers offer us the opportunity to engage with Lincoln's life and times in a manner that is both educational and emotionally resonant. The varied interpretations across different films underscore the depth of Lincoln's character and the timelessness of his principles, ensuring that his story will continue to inspire and inform future generations.
