The Day Lincoln Was Shot

The only man I ever thought who could give Lincoln justice was Irish born-and-bred Roy Dotrice,but now I have to add Lance Henriksen to the list.I also saw Kris Kristoffersen play the man with the stove pipe hat but that one was made for the whole family. This movie is much more closer to the truth than "The Lincoln Conspiracy" ever was.Booth is much more darker and scarier than I ever remembered and even more forboding when he is trying to romance the ladies.I would hope that every Lincoln afficinado appreciates this movie for its depiction of the darkest day in American history

I bought this from Warner Archive without remembering that it ever existed. I was somewhat surprised that I hadn't previously thought of Henriksen as a potential Lincoln, but he really does look more like the President than any other actor I've seen in the role, including Royal Dano. The makeup is excellent, but Henriksen's face is already 2/3 of the way there. He's a greatly underrated actor; he approaches all his roles with dedication, focus and intelligent; the same is true here. In the header I said he's one of the best Lincolns; actually, he may be >the< best, rivaled only by Henry Fonda and Raymond Massey. But everything about this understated, well-researched movie is outstanding; I was surprised and pleased by how good it is.

This fine film was like an intellectual feast for a history buff like me. We finally have a decent film about one of the darkest events in American History. I think the only other film I can remember that was devoted exclusively to Lincoln's murder was The Lincoln Conspiracy (!). This is another great historical film from TNT. Rob Morrow and Lance Hendricksen are both splendid. Its almost like a Biblical morality play capturing Lincoln's good and Booth's absolute evil (Morrow is positively chilling as the assassin, it sort of reminds me of Frank Sinatra in Suddenly). The details of this film are absolutely correct, they even remember to mention the fact that Lincoln dreamed of his own murder just a few nights before. The suspense is well handled especially leading up to the assassination. This is a fine adaptation of Jim Bishop's book and I am amazed at all the ground they covered in just a two hour movie! If you get a chance rent it on video. By the way, Booth shouts "sic semper tyrannis" when he kills Lincoln. For those of you who never had Latin, that means "Death to the tyrants"

I like this movie a lot. Proof that Ted Turner's people are better off sticking with "made for TV" movies as opposed to trying to go "big screen" (see: "Gods and Generals" for one such disaster).

I did not particularly care for some of the "MTV-like" camera angles and going from color to black and white (hopefully this "fad" will die a quick death).

Lance Henrickson is a fine actor and did a great job as Lincoln. Unlike Henrickson, Lincoln was a "western" country hick with a higher pitched voice and did not have the graceful mannerisms Henrickson protrayed in this film (I blame the casting, not Henrickson, for this), but it's no big deal, unless you are a nit-picker who liked to show off your deft knowledge of history.

Rob Morrow kicked ass as Booth. Another very underrated actor.

Here again, as in the TNT effort "Andersonville" which in my view is the most unique and my absolute favorite Civil War movie to date, I believe that the using of mostly "role actors" pays off.

Bizarre as it may sound, I really believe that background, incidental music can make or break a movie, especially a period piece such as this. And with this movie, it's excellent!

I doubt Hollywierd will ever treat Lincoln on the "big screen" again (as has been done before many many years ago). So I guess we will have to settle for TV efforts like this. And if they are all this good, that could be a good thing!

TNT's The Day Lincoln Was Shot has to be the most accurate and well devised movie of the genre to date. Much care has been taken with authenticity (with a few minor glitches here and there) in an attempt to determine what actually happened, how it happened and why. Solid acting talent, an eye for detail and a well devised script have made once again a docu-drama that stands the test both historically and as solid, fast-moving entertainment. Turner has done it again. Bravo!