Saving Lincoln

Excellent film about Lincoln and his Illinois friends
While the 2012 film Lincoln was very good, and it was a pleasure sitting in a theater and hearing people laugh at Lincoln's jokes, even if they were one hundred and fifty years old, this film seems to capture something more like the connection Lincoln had to his adopted home in Illinois. I had read Lamon's book Remembrances of Abraham Lincoln, through the Illinois Digital Archive, and it was a fascinating account. As does the film, it begins in the 8th judicial circuit in the 1840s, and follows Lincoln through his career in Congress, the two races for the US Senate in 1856 and 1858, the Presidency and right up to that last encounter. The plaintive statement "and that was the last time I saw my friend", is as heartrending in the film as it was in print.

For me, historical figures are more interesting for their humanity, than the monumental achievements of their careers. Ever since I was a child, I felt more of a connection to Lincoln from a line like "I cannot spare this...

Perfect for the History Teacher
I am writing this review from the perspective of the history teacher. This may incline you to think that I am going to need a very detailed movie that gets every fact perfect. For my personal preference that happens to be true. I loved Spielberg's 'Lincoln' for that reason. But I also happen to have the equivalent of a masters degree in Civil War studies. As a teacher what I need is a movie to be accessible as well as accurate.
'Saving Lincoln' is an amazingly accessible film. There are scenes where the pain that Lincoln bore pours off the screen. It makes Lincoln human in a way that my students and I would assume others can understand. I asked my students which of the movies I showed this year they liked the best and it was hands down 'Saving Lincoln'. So if you want a movie that shows Lincoln and you don't need a degree in American History to enjoy, you'll like this one.

A visual treat that's emotionally satisfying
This film is a fresh perspective into the life of Abraham Lincoln. The relationship between Lincoln and his loyal bodyguard is full of surprises and strong emotions.
The use of still photographs is an inspired way to tell this epic story and make it look like a film of huge proportions. Hats off to the filmmakers for their creativity and story-telling skills.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film and recommend it to all.

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