Saving Lincoln (2013) Reviews

• Groundbreaking Portrayal of Lincoln

  ajlewis-607-6503282013-02-13

  I was moved by this film. As someone who has lived in the DC area my entire life, has visited Ford's Theater on numerous occasions, and has been to Gettysburg, Antietam, and other civil war battlefields more times than I can remember, I felt that seeing Tom Amandes' portrayal of Lincoln this evening brought me closer to understanding Lincoln the man than I have ever been. Amandes' Lincoln was not overplayed, but real and genuine. Litvak was bold in creating his Lincoln as a man of faith and emotion, natural charisma and strength. Lincoln's melancholy made him more endearing, not distant. Penelope Ann Miller's Mary Todd was also genuine, a person of real emotion, not the disconnected and distant caricature that she has been portrayed in previous films. Lea Coco was masterful in walking the line between obsessive, monomaniacal protector and best friend of the most indispensable man of his time. No spoiler here, but Coco's finest hour came towards the end of the film in my opinion, when he as Lamon visibly let down his guard for the first time, no longer able to protect his friend. What an amazing piece of art this film is. Seeing the actual images of Civil War soldiers in the hospital behind Lincoln in one scene tapped an emotional well in me as I realized that these were real people, real faces of the men who fought and died for their country, and for this I must say that the Cinecollage method that Litvak has brought to life is a treasure that is capable of connecting us with our history in a way that is unique and of deep value. I applaud the creator and cast for the wonderful film and eagerly await the opportunity to see it again.

• Original and artistically portrayed

  Ctchung42013-02-25

  I enjoyed the film for its portrayal of President Abraham Lincoln from the perspective of his confidant, Ward Lamon Hill, and the use of the photographs from the Civil War era. The scenes tended to play out so fast that it would at first seem improbable to develop sympathy for the characters, but it turned out that it was not at all the case. I felt that there were many shining moments in the film, especially when you got pulled in by the emotionally captivating speech at the end of the seance. It was probably tough to try to cram President Lincoln's life into a duration of less than 2 hours, but I loved the music and that it was, well, different. President Lincoln has been my favorite historical figure, and I learned so much more about him from watching this film.

• Brilliant

  trescia-12018-12-03

  I'm sure there's some peculiar reason for this film film to be lambasted by a particular sort of fellow, but I'm really tired of those fellows. I wish there were a way to click a "hide spittle-flecked rants" toggle. Alas. Not available. This beautiful piece of work should be shown in classrooms if only to provide a break from the monotony of formal education and give even the most alienated young American a glimpse into a world not unlike our own-- and parallel to it. Where guys-- just guys like you and me-- found themselves having to act with dreadful nobility during a hateful stretch of misery while, all the while, wearing silly clothing. Pomp and circumstance and stovepipe hats and rivulets of blood and men in stifling wool uniforms blown apart by rifled musketry and women wearing linen tents like trade shows for textile millers... Damn all war to hell. Hats off for Mr. Lincoln. Amen. (If you liked this review, you'll like the movie. If not, skip it. There. Surely THAT was HELPFUL.)

• A work whose reach exceeds its grasp

  pdking772019-01-20

  While the production concept is novel, using historic photographs largely as backdrops and sets, it fails largely because of the other shortcomings of this work. The characters have no charisma with the audience nor chemistry among each other. For example, it was difficult to sense the bond between Lamon and Lincoln or feel emotion over Willie's death. Although the handling of the assassination at Ford's Theater was done well with imagination and taste. And it was refreshing to see that Elizabeth Keckley was given her just due in the in er role in the White House. Overall, the acting seemed on par with local amateur or first-year college drama class. As a former American History teacher and "lincolophile" I have always been fascinated with his ability to personally interact and connect with almost everyone with whom he came in contact yet that is completely absent in this work. The effort was noble, the concept unique, but generally fails across the board.

• Understandable for the current viewer

  photoweborama2018-12-08

  Not to mention the way it was filmed, but the voicing and dialog were easy to understand and allowed you to become entwined with the characters. Unique from films along the same subject.