utgard14 Early talkie biopic of Abraham Lincoln by D.W. Griffith and starring Walter Huston in the title role. This has the distinction of being the first sound film directed by Griffith (he only did two) and for its script co-written by Stephen Vincent Benét. It covers Lincoln's whole life and features pretty much all of the things you have likely seen or read about before. The film plays fast and loose with historical accuracy, as biopics generally do for dramatic purposes. This doesn't upset me but it greatly bothers other viewers. If you're the type to be angered by biographical pictures that take liberties with facts then you will likely hate this.It's a creaky movie and more than a little melodramatic. Neither of those things is surprising given when this was made. Huston does a good job and the rest of the cast is fine. I see Una Merkel singled out a lot in criticisms of this movie and I can kind of see why. I happen to like Una and think she was a wonderful talent, particularly with comedy. But this is early in her career and here she's like nails on a chalkboard. Thankfully she's only in the movie for a little bit at the beginning. The biggest problem with the movie is that it just drags on and on. Even when exciting things are happening, it just seems so dull. Film history buffs will probably enjoy it more than most. For those looking for a more entertaining movie about Lincoln, see Abe Lincoln in Illinois or Young Mr. Lincoln instead.

JohnHowardReid A most impressive film in its tinted and toned Grapevine Video DVD edition. Don't bother to watch the movie in other formats. Without color, the movie just looks like a series of tableaux that cover only some of the high spots (including the assassination) and a lot of the duller episodes in Lincoln's career. Without color, most of the acting is as dull as the dialogue and some of it is downright bad. Without color, James Bradbury Sr cuts a ridiculous figure as General Scott. Without color, Huston plays Lincoln as a cracker-barrel philosopher rather than as a figure of dignity. Without color, the direction is dull, aside from one or two touches (the sweeping tracking shots at the film's beginning and close, Lincoln silhouetted as he descends a flight of stairs). Without color, it's obvious that Griffith uses some old Birth of a Nation action footage in the Civil War sequences. Without color, it seems obvious the film was produced on a rather limited budget. Worst of all, deprived of its original color stock, the sound recording comes over very poorly. (On the colored stock, the sound is clear as a bell, except for an occasional muffle here and there). Worst of all, without color, the whole film emerges as a dated museum piece.In the color edition, Huston makes a fine stab at Lincoln. In fact, in my opinion, Huston's is far the best of the many Lincoln portrayals on the screen. He brings a rich humanity, as well as both warmth and dignity to the role. True, aside from Una Merkel (whose role is very small, despite her co-star billing), E. Alyn Warren (who plays both Stephen Douglas AND General Ulysses Grant), Ian Keith (Booth), and Hobart Bosworth (who brings both drama and pathos to his rounded portrait of Lee), few of the other players make much of an impression. (Young Gordon Thorpe is incredibly bad, but fortunately his role is as small as his height).In all, a must-see movie – provided you watch Grapevine's superb color print! If not, give the movie a miss. You'll loath every boring black and white, hard-to-hear minute of it!

AW_RATLIFFHxC After seeing the modern movie versions of Abe Lincoln I was curious to see what this one was like. Personally when it comes to movies portraying historical characters I'm most concerned with the facts then with anything else. In that regard the movie didn't seem to run away with an artistic license , but did manage to focus on what Lincoln was trying to achieve " to preserve the union". A line repeated several times through out the the movie. The movie was more like a snap-shot of the life of Lincoln piecing together highlights of Lincoln's life. And maybe it was better this way , filling in the gaps with fiction doesn't serve history very well. Sure you cant be 100% factual when trying to make a movie but have some kind integrity. The film is defiantly a product of its time- film quality , acting , but if you can over look that it isn't that terrible.

wes-connors If one were to commission a film depicting the life of Abraham Lincoln, in 1930, one might well produce this film; and, one would be very satisfied with the resulting "Abraham Lincoln", both artistically, and commercially. Today, however, this is not a very exciting film. It succeeds somewhat as a series of staged vignettes, depicting stories about President Lincoln.Walter Huston is given the difficult job of portraying the revered Lincoln, and he excels, after a shaky start. Director D.W. Griffith employs a fine supporting cast, with mixed results. Early scenes are hampered by the characterizations offered by Una Merkel (as Ann Rutledge) and Kay Hammond (as Mary Todd); these are "the romances" of Lincoln's life; and, they are awful. The courtship scenes involving Mr. Huston and Ms. Merkel are particularly absurd. Henry B. Walthall is notable, later on; but. he doesn't have much to do. It might have been interesting to see Mr. Walthall play John Wilkes Booth -- admittedly, this was an unlikely consideration at the time; and, Ian Keith is perfectly suitable in the role. Walthall graciously supports Hobart Bosworth (as Robert E. Lee) during his screen time; and, Mr. Bosworth is outstanding.There is no mystery in the main story elements: he was born in a log cabin, and is assassinated in the end. Griffith acquaints himself well with "sound" in a film, though, in hindsight, it is a technical weakness. There are moments, or flashes, of "greatness" in the film, but they don't contribute to a collective work of consequence. Griffith treats Lincoln with a reverence that is oddly uncomfortable; by the film's end, the story structure confirms Lincoln has become Divine. The ending reprise of "Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on..." nicely evokes both "John Brown's Body" and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." An appropriate connection. ******* Abraham Lincoln (8/25/30) D.W. Griffith ~ Walter Huston, Kay Hammond, Hobart Bosworth