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Director: John Cromwell
Cast: Raymond Massey, Gene Lockhart, Ruth Gordon, Mary Howard, Dorothy Tree, Harvey Stephens, Minor Watson, Alan Baxter
Abe Lincoln in Illinois © 1940 RKO Pictures, Inc. Package Design © 2009 Turner Entertainment Co. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Among the most masterful matchups of actor and role in screen history is this stirring film of Robert E. Sherwood’s beloved play taking a thoroughly human look at the early years of our 16th President, with all his frailties and strength of character. Best Actor Oscar nominee* Raymond Massey (who originated the role on stage) wonderfully plays the future Great Emancipator in a chronicle of his backwoods childhood through his first romance with Ann Rutledge (Mary Howard) to his phenomenal rise to President Elect, besting the great orator Stephen Douglas (Gene Lockhart). Ruth Gordon also does memorable work as driven, ambitious Mary Todd Lincoln, whose vision of Abe’s leadership destiny will not be denied by anyone – including her often reticent husband. There’s also no denying the enduring emotional power of this simple, magnificent movie.
Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Burbank, CA on 2/1/2012Comments about Abe Lincoln in Illinois (DVD):
I had not seen this movie in YEARS - and it really holds up. It portrays Abe as closer to a saint than a man - but back then movies were designed to be more inspiring than realistic. But it is very enjoyable.
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Taylorville,Ill on 4/2/2010Comments about Abe Lincoln in Illinois (DVD):
sam waterson from law and order early acting is wonderful
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Abe Lincoln in Illinois (DVD):
This gem gives us probably the best film version of what the real Lincoln-Douglas debates were like, which are of course the highlight of the film. The casting of Raymond Massey, (who was Canadian by birth) as Lincoln gives us an actor with the closest physical characteristics of Lincoln, not just tall and lanky, but with an asymmetrical long, sad face. The actor portraying Stephen Douglas also bears a strong resemblance to the man himself as well as the blustering oratory common to the era.
The movie is best remembered for the classic set piece argument over the issue of slavery and the historical battle over the true charter of Liberty and Freedom in the U.S. between the Declaration of Independence and its stirring recital that "All men are created equal" and the Constitution which institutionalized slavery.
It is still hard not to be moved by the force of Lincoln's position, which while admittedly partisan reaches beyond politics to address the moral imperatives and ethical stakes at hand. His arguent rings with phrases like, "the monstrous injustice of slavery", and his brilliant description of that injustice "you work and toil and make the bread and I'll eat it", and finally its perniciousness effect on good men everywhere and the Nation itself, "A House divided against itself cannot stand!"
For this reason alone, we are lucky to have this movie portrayal by Massey, and it should be shown in the schools to our children today.
[0 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Abe Lincoln in Illinois (DVD):
ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS HAS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES SINCE I WAS A YOUNG BOY. ONE OF THE REASONS IS THAT THE GREATEST ACTRESS WHO EVER LIVED -PEGGY ANN GARNER APPEARS AS A PRAYING LITTLE GIRL IN THE SCENE WHERE ANN RUTLEDGE DIES. MY LITTLE ANGEL HAS NO LINES BUT JUST LOOKING AT HER ANGELIC FACE MAKES THIS MOVIE THE GREATEST.PEGGY ANN GARNER IS SIMPLY THE BEST!
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Austin, TX on 5/24/2009Comments about Abe Lincoln in Illinois (DVD):
I'm just so glad that Warner Brothers has released some of their best films for DVD purchase. This movie is worth buying, even if it hasn't been digitally restored (yet).
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Abe Lincoln in Illinois (DVD):
I'm pleased with the disc quality, but the film source print is in need of restoration.
