Watch Lincoln

This movie was written and adapted from the novel written by Gore Vidal. This movie was broadcast in two parts in March 1988. The part of Lincoln was played by Sam Waterston and Mary Tyler Moore played Mary Todd Lincoln. The first part dealt with Lincoln's starting office as the president and the outbreak of the Civil War. The movie covers his relationships with his cabinet members and their trials and tribulations. The movie was filmed in Richmond Virgina and cost $8 million to make. It was directed by Lamont Johnson who won an Emmy for his work on the film.

The novel the movie is based on describes Lincoln through several historical figures that he worked with. The novel emphasizes his struggle with personal and professional relationships during the Civil War. The movie is seen through Lincoln's eyes as he must deal with other leaders that want to ruin him and officers in the war that won't fight.

During the film Mary Todd suffers from mental problems that cause Lincoln's pain. The death of their son is what starts the process. He has to cover up the fact that she stole his speech and sold it before he could stop her. The second part of the movie covers his working on The Emanicpations Proclamation and his appointment of General Grant during the war. The movie covers his tragic death in the theater at the hands of John Wilkes Booth. This movie was compared to Gone With the Wind by NBC when promoting it for TV.

Mary Tyler Moore plays Mary Todd with vivid accuracy as she descends into mental illness. Lincoln in this movie is clever, funny, and ambitious. It is a more honest movie about his personality and conflicts about the issues of his time. This movie is suitable for children 12 and older and adults who are interested in the history of Lincoln.

Lincoln is a 1988 drama with a runtime of 3 hours and 7 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.