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Abraham Lincoln Details

1930 Certificate U
  • Rated:
  • 40
  • from 94 members

Silent film master D.W. Griffith's first talkie works as a companion piece to his classic BIRTH OF A NATION, providing a detailed biographical sketch of the 16th president. We see his birth in a log cabin, the tragic death of his first love, Ann Rutledge (Una Merkel), his debates with Douglas, his accepting of the presidency, .. Read more

Starring Walter Huston, Una Merkel, Kay Hammond, Ian Keith
Director D.W. Griffith
Genres Drama

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Abraham Lincoln cover art

Abraham Lincoln

Silent film master D.W. Griffith's first talkie works as a companion piece to his classic BIRTH OF A NATION, providing a detailed biographical sketch of the 16th president. We see his birth in a log cabin, the tragic death of his first love, Ann Rutledge (Una Merkel), his debates with Douglas, his accepting of the presidency, the terrible toll of the Civil War, and finally the tragic assassination at Ford's Theater. Griffith shows his usual meticulous attention to period detail, and the framing of the various vignettes has the feel of historical photographs come to life. Walter Huston is excellent in the title role, with a portrayal that subtly evolves from laconic, wizened rascal to noble elder statesman. This is a fascinating, worthy film, and an interesting historical document in and of itself.

Starring Walter Huston, Una Merkel, Kay Hammond, Ian Keith, Hobart Bosworth
Director D.W. Griffith
Studio EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 33 mins
Certificate Certificate U
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 24 Jun 2002
Production year: 1930
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of Abraham Lincoln

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    The last gasp of genius from the great silent film-maker, DW Griffith, this biopic of the American president has too much explanatory detail but boasts some remarkable visual set pieces. Written by Stephen Vincent Benet and Gerrit Lloyd, it stars Walter Huston as Lincoln and Una Merkel as his wife, and shows how the great man entered small-town politics before rising to the highest office in the land. Griffith was accused of racism in The Birth of a Nation; here, he shows a capacity for tolerance that beggars belief.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 2 stars out of 4

    Rather boring even at the time, this straightforward biopic has the virtues of sincerity and comparative fidelity to the facts.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Abraham Lincoln

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  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    One for the film students

    D. W. Griffith's 2nd from last film.

    More than anyone else Griffith created the grammar of film - he first started directing in 1908. Prior to that he had acted in and written for touring theatre. His style was melodramatic and belonged to the previous century - he was already out of date in the 1920's.

    This film shows them working very hard at getting great shots - the opening sequence evokes a great mood. Throughout the film the compositon and grouping of figures is quite sophisticated - it probably came from his days on stage.

      • A customer from London
      • Posted 06 Oct 2005 19:11

  • News and features

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    Abraham Lincoln

    Spielberg's Lincoln biopic still on track

    • 16 Sep 2009

    Director Steven Spielberg will go head to head with Robert Redford when they each produce movie biopics about Abraham Lincoln. Hollywood veteran Redford is working on Lincoln drama The Conspirator and recently revealed James McAvoy and Robin Wright Penn had joined the cast. Spielberg announced plans for a film based on the life of the 19th century U.S. president earlier this year (09) with Liam Neeson as Lincoln, but the project has been delayed by funding and script alterations in the run-up... Read more

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94 Member ratings
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    • Abraham Lincoln

    • Abraham Lincoln
      Silent film master D.W. Griffith's first talkie works as a companion piece to his classic BIRTH OF A NATION, providing a detailed biographical sketch of the 16th president. We see his birth in a log cabin, the tragic death of his first love, Ann Rutledge (Una Merkel), his debates with Douglas, his ...