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I felt compelled to blog about this because I've always had respect for Lincoln. And this, particular, movie had a great impact on me.(As,I'm sure, Lincoln, himself, did on many people, and still does to this day)This is actually the first movie I've seen about his life. And, I can't see there ever being one better than this. Daniel-Day Lewis totally nailed his character. I agree with the majority of those who think of him as one of the greatest presidents who ever lived.( I mean,considering what he accomplished in such a short time, how could you not?)And after seeing this movie, my respect for him, his perseverance and integrity jumped to a whole new level. There has never been another president with more wisdom,integrity and insight since Lincoln.
Of course,like most bio-pics,Hollywood took a few liberties and altered some historical facts for dramatic effect.One being that Lincoln never tolerated profanity spoken in his presence. But, in this movie, people cussed around him alot. By today's standards, it was nothing.But, in those days, that kind of language was more serious. Especially in the White House. Because the president was held to a higher standard of morality in those days than he is today.
Anyway, over-all, as far as the really relevant stuff, the movie was as historically accurate as it could be. Considering the fact that no one,today, was actually there. So they really didn't have a choice but to fill in the blanks about things that weren't recorded in the history books. And I think they stayed as true to reality as possible.The things that weren't accurate were pretty trivial. That man endured so much persecution over his beliefs in the 13th Amendment, I'm surprised he didn't die younger,just, from the stress he went through fighting for it. Not to mention, the stress of what was going on within his own family-Losing a son to Typhus, stressing over his wife's mental condition as a result of that loss and having another son rebel against his wishes for him not enlist in the war only to die,himself. His life was surrounded with turmoil and tragedy till the moment of his death. Yet, he managed to accomplish so much in spite of it; leaving a legacy that will never be fogotten.
As great as JFK was, Lincoln tops my list of the greatest presidents of all time. He put an end to, what I believe, was one of the greatest sins this country has ever committed.The cancer of slavery,which, has given birth to racism that still exists today, sort of makes me ashamed of being from the south.
What I didn't understand, until close to the end(warning:spoiler alert!) was why, Thaddus Stephens(a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania, one of the leaders of the Radical Republican faction of the Republican Party and Lincoln's closest friend)was only in favor of Negro rights in the courts and not in favor of ALL rights for black people. Then,I realized, he HAD to do it that way. He had to gradually vote for smaller rights,one at a time. Otherwise, like some of the others who voted against the 13th amendment believed, if he had voted for ALL equal rights for ALL black people, all at once, it may have resulted in the freed slaves raising a rebellion, once emancipated. And, he may have suffered the same fate as Lincoln(being assassinated)(at least that's what I got out of why he went about what he did).And I wouldn't blame the slaves if they HAD risen up against their slave owners after being emancipated. I'd be pretty ticked off, myself, and want justice for the hundreds of yrs of slavery and spilled blood of millions of black slaves and what they had to endure.
But, Stephens was patient and did the smart thing. What Lincoln did, may have been too bold. But, that's the kind of man he was. He believed in something stood by it no matter what the cost.(Which is why I admire him so much) Unfortunately, that cost was his own life. And, like I said, Stephens may have suffered the same fate if he had been as bold as Lincoln.
(Another spoiler alert)My only complaint is that they didn't include a scene of Lincoln reciting his most famous speech,himself-"The Gettysburg Address". Instead, they had a soldier recite it BACK to HIM lol. Then again, I thought having a black soldier recite his speech back to him was more impactful because it showed the impact it had on the people(especially negroes) who heard it. So, in that way,it was a smart way to introduce the speech in the film.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."-Of course, it's Jefferson who wrote this in the Constitution.However, those words were never TRULY honored until Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclaimation
And,if I may add. If it wasn't for Lincoln, the doors that have been opened for black people today would have remained closed. Obama owes his presidency to Lincoln. Because if he hadn't done what he did, Obama would have never even been given the opportunity. And,I have to say, Obama's not doing a very good job of honoring that privilage and responsibility he's been given and entrusted with.
