Lincoln
Movie, 2012, The 2010s, Set in 1865
Lincoln is #28 of 35 in release order and #28 of 35 in chronological order in the Steven Spielberg.
The story
The revealing story of the 16th US President's tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.
Lincoln recap
Lincoln (2012) follows Abraham Lincoln in January 1865 as he pushes the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery, through the House before the war ends. Steven Spielberg directs a script by Tony Kushner, drawn in part from Doris Kearns Goodwin's book Team of Rivals. Daniel Day-Lewis plays Lincoln, who fears his Emancipation Proclamation will not survive the peace and needs some Democratic votes to pass the amendment. Secretary of State William Seward (David Strathairn) hires three political operators, among them W. N. Bilbo (James Spader), to win over lame-duck Democrats with jobs. Radical Republican Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones) must soften his public stance on racial equality to keep moderates on board. Meanwhile, Confederate envoys are on their way to discuss peace, which could kill the vote. At home, Mary Todd Lincoln (Sally Field) still grieves their son Willie, and their eldest, Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), insists on enlisting. Lincoln comes between War Horse and Bridge of Spies.
Lincoln ending explained
Lincoln ends with the president's death and a flashback to his second inaugural address. Lincoln states, with careful wording, that no peace envoys are in Washington, and the amendment passes by two votes as the gallery erupts; Stevens goes home to his Black housekeeper and partner. The peace talks fail. After Lee's surrender, Lincoln leaves for Ford's Theatre, and his son Tad hears the news at another theatre. He dies the next morning. Day-Lewis won his third Best Actor Oscar.
Post-credits scenes
No. Lincoln has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Lincoln
Lincoln isn't on a US streaming service right now. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes 90%
Where it fits
- Release order: after War Horse, before Bridge of Spies.
- Chronological order: after War Horse, before Bridge of Spies.
Cast
- Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln
- Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln
- David Strathairn as William Seward
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Robert Lincoln
- James Spader as W.N. Bilbo
- Hal Holbrook as Preston Blair
- Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens
- John Hawkes as Robert Latham
- Jackie Earle Haley as Alexander Stephens
- Bruce McGill as Edwin Stanton
- Tim Blake Nelson as Richard Schell
- Joseph Cross as John Hay
Directed by Steven Spielberg.