Like Spielberg’s Amistad (which Lincoln so often visually resembles, with its smoky interiors and heavy shadows), Lincoln is a tremendously long and talky movie – a … "[64] On Metacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 based on reviews from critics, the film has a score of 86 (out of 100) based on 44 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim", thus making it Spielberg's highest-rated film on the site since Saving Private Ryan. What sort of film did Spielberg hope to make? [30] In January 2009, Taunton and Dighton, Massachusetts were being scouted as potential locations. Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis). [85] Ultimately, Kushner replied directly to inquiries from The New Republic writer Timothy Noah, explaining that while he had read Vorenberg's book and many others as research, he insists that Team of Rivals was his principal source material for the film.[86]. Gloria Reuben who plays Elizabeth Keckley, Mary Lincoln's confidante in the movie. "[85] Among these details were specifics of dealings between Democrats and Thaddeus Stevens, the story behind securing Alexander Coffroth's vote and the fact that African Americans were present in the congressional galleries during the final vote. [50][51] The soundtrack album was released by Sony Classical on November 6, 2012. Start studying Lincoln - movie questions. He is concerned that his 1863 Emancipation Proclamation may be discarded by the courts after the war and that the proposed Thirteenth Amendment will be defeated by the returning slave states. \After his re-election in November, Lincoln set about trying to construct coalition of  of Representatives to pass the amendment. [14] The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $275 million at the box office.[7]. In his lifetime, Lincoln was consistently criticized by radical Republicans and African-American leaders such as Frederick Douglass for his equivocation on slavery and lenient plans for Reconstruction. I get the impression that most people who are not history buffs will now want to read something about Lincoln. Lincoln had to overcome petty political rivalries, racism, abolitionist demands for stronger legislation, and a widespread demand that he finish the war before embarking on such a controversial move. In a carefully worded statement, Lincoln denies there are envoys in Washington, and the vote proceeds, passing by a margin of just two votes. Learn more about theatre dining and special offers at your local Marcus Theatre. Having great courage, acumen and moral fortitude, Lincoln pushes forward to compel the nation, and those in government who oppose him, to aim toward a greater good for all mankind. He is concerned that his 1863 Emancipation Proclamation may be discarded by the courts after the war and that the proposed Thirteenth Amendment will be defeated by the returning slave states. [47], Filming took place in Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Petersburg, Virginia. [35], Spielberg approached Daniel Day-Lewis about the project in 2003, but Day-Lewis turned down the part at the time, believing the idea of himself playing Lincoln "preposterous". Menu. The film was co-produced by American companies DreamWorks Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Participant Media, with Indian company Reliance Entertainment, and released theatrically by Touchstone Pictures in North America on November 9, 2012. [33] Playwright Paul Webb was hired to rewrite, and filming was set to begin in January 2006,[31] but Spielberg delayed it out of dissatisfaction with the script. Track 6 "With Malice Toward None" was composed by John Williams for Chris Martin, principal trumpeter of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the time. Steven Spielberg directs two-time Academy Award® winner Daniel Day-Lewis in "Lincoln," a revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President's tumultuous final months in office. The score was recorded by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus. The film holds an 89% approval rating on the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 284 reviews with an average rating of 8.002/10. In a final flashback, Lincoln is seen delivering his second inaugural address on March 4. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. Lincoln. [40] In an interview with GQ, Neeson said he realized during a table read that the part was not right for him in "a thunderbolt moment" and after the read requested that Spielberg recast his role. The hallmark of the man, performed so powerfully by Daniel Day-Lewis in "Lincoln," is calm self-confidence, patience and a willingness to play politics in a realistic way. One of the main themes of the movie was Lincoln’s effort in getting the 13 th Amendment passed. Spielberg’s Lincoln appears committed to rapidly ending slavery and even suggests that suffrage might eventually be extended to black men.