EssenceStory Well Deserved Praise

SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Grimossfer Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

stejujo I love TNT's "The Day Lincoln Was Shot." Call me weird, but I watch it on VHS every Friday night. I'm a big history buff. I wish it was on DVD so I could watch it in my living room. My VCR is in my finished basement. Although there were a few minor historical errors, this movie was great. Lance Henrickson did a marvelous portrayal of Lincoln. If you took a black and white photo of Henrickson as Lincoln, most people would think it was actually Lincoln! It's too bad this wasn't a theater movie, because it would look great on the big screen, especially the theater scenes. When I watched this movie, I felt like I was really at Ford's Theatre the night Lincoln was shot. The first time I saw it, I nearly cried.The music gives the movie a sad feel, and those times were very sad. I wish they'd put it on TV every anniversary of the assassination, but I checked the online TNT schedule, and it was not on there. Maybe I missed it. Anyway, you should buy a used copy from Amazon.com. Although they are used , they are in mint condition. If you like Lincoln as much as I do, buy or rent this! It is a must see! Attention Teachers: I recommend this for classroom use, and it is a movie which your students may actually like!

historynut 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!

aesgaard41 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

REDdog-1 I really enjoyed this movie. What makes this movie so good is the great performance by Lance Henricksen. He truly is one of the greatest actors of all time. If you want to see him at his best see this movie. Lance Henricksen was born to play the role of Abraham Lincoln. I also recommend "Aliens", "Pumpkinhead", and "Hard Target" to see him at his best. I give this movie 10/10