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Plot Summary
Hailed by Michael Medved as "ingenious, moving, original and impressive," Saving Lincoln combines elements of theater and cinema to create a fresh visual world within authentic Civil War photographs. This unique film is based on the true story of President Abraham Lincoln and his banjo-playing, pistol-wielding, former law partner and confidant, Ward Hill Lamon. When the first assassination attempt occurs on the way to Washington in 1861, Lamon appoints himself Lincoln's bodyguard, and from this unique perspective, Lamon witnesses every aspect of Lincoln's fiery trial as Commander-in-Chief, soothes his friend's tormented soul, and saves him from repeated attempts on his life. Lamon is away on the night Lincoln is killed, yet it is Lamon who redefines that tragic event in a surprising and uplifting manner. Saving Lincoln has been called "a new and different kind of cinematic experience…truly fascinating" (Film Journal International), "visually innovative, superbly acted" (Jeffrey Lyons), and "brave, incisive, brilliant and entirely factual" (Harold Holzer, noted Lincoln expert).
Credits
Director
Screenwriters
Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews
TOMATOMETER
27%- Reviews Counted: 15
- Fresh: 4
- Rotten: 11
- Average Rating: 4.6/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Rotten: Note to filmmakers: Just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean you should do it.
Rotten: The script, while largely historically accurate, is undermined by stilted dialogue, and the pic is laced with ill-fitting parts that wind up literally all over the matte.
Rotten: The film feels like an animated Wikipedia page, just sort of running through the greatest hits of Lincoln's life in office - the Emancipation Proclamation! Gettysburg! The Theater! - without any real insight.
Rotten: Imagine the stiffness of a Star Wars prequel but without the bravura technique.
Customer Reviews
Saving Lincoln is Great!
I caught the premiere of this in Glendale. I loved the film and its use of real photos from the 1800s. It was filmed in a very unique style and once you are in it, you are engrossed in an awe inspiring world. It is also a different side of Lincoln and covers the whole of his presidency!! Great Film especially for Lincoln Lovers and History Buffs!!!
Save time to see it
This is the kind of movie that must be seen several times. It is a reference movie like the old fashioned reference book. to have it handy to consult, check and also learn new things. There is a great story ( Lincoln and his best friend) but it also a pictorial history trip. On this times of waste and conservation Saving Lincoln is a masterpiece on "less is more" No sets, only authentic photos from the period This movie shows a new model to produce an epic film with the minimum of waste and maximum effect.. We live in a society that required more and more . In the movies is specially true. every year we see more special effects, elaborate sets , more waste and more damage to our environment. I suggest to buy it . It is one of the few reference movies of the digital age. Save time for Saving Lincoln!
Unusual approach to Lincoln ouvre
Everybody loves Lincoln, but the visualization was riveting. Bringing Matthew Brady to the fore (and aft) was a great idea. Very challenging film. Hope to see more. Hours and hours in the archives paid off.
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