In 1865 as the American Civil War winds inexorably toward conclusion U.S. president Abraham Lincoln endeavors to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment which will forever ban slavery from the United States. However his task is a race against time for peace may come at any time and if it comes before the amendment is passed the returning southern states will stop it before it can become law. Lincoln must by almost any means possible obtain enough votes from a recalcitrant Congress before peace arrives and it is too late. Yet the president is torn as an early peace would save thousands of lives. As the nation confronts its conscience over the freedom of its entire population Lincoln faces his own crisis of conscience end slavery or end the war.
Review
I remember fondly Henry Fonda and Raymond Massey as Lincolns in "Young Mr.Lincoln" and 𢪾 Lincoln in Illinois" They gave remarkable performances. But here and now in this extraordinary Steven SpielbergTony Kushner version the illusion is complete. I was watching the president and not for a moment thought of the actor. That in itself is close to unique. I left the theater with the feeling I've just had an out of body experience. Everything around the central performance and I call it a performance because I don't know what else to call it falls into place in a miraculous way. The photography the production design the wardrobe made it possible to actually smell the period. Congratulations and thank you.
