Kiah Beachler

CAP Program

October 4, 2018

Cinematic Analysis Part A : ​Lincoln

Steven Spielberg's award-winning 2012 film​ Lincoln​ explores Abraham Lincoln’s

presidency in a more serious and realistic tone, while still captivating the tumultuous atmosphere

of the Civil War era. Set in the last moments of the Civil War Lincoln analyzes the pressures the

president was under to uphold his beliefs and support his family. Lincoln’s calm confidence and

persistence displays that in order to fight for one’s beliefs one must first believe in oneself.

The film begins during the last months of 1864 where the battles of the Civil war still

continue. President Lincoln and his cabinet members recognize that the confederates will most

likely lose the war; however, he hopes to draw out the war in order to pass the Thirteenth

Amendment. Lincoln’s only reason for not agreeing to a peace treaty with the south has been

because Congress will no longer consider the Thirteenth Amendment as a way to end the war.

Both Lincoln and Representative James Ashley realize this and therefore push for the

amendment to be heard as soon as possible. The amendment is agreed to be brought before the

House of Representatives but the Republican party believe that they need more Democratic votes

in order to get it passed. Lincoln persistently campaigns for the Amendment, and even personally

appeals to a few of the most prominent Democratic party members. When the House finally

hears the Amendment Lincoln’s determination pays off when Representative Thaddeus Stevens

and others tenaciously support the Amendment; and, it narrowly passes.

 The movie concludes with Robert E. Lee’s surrender and Lincoln’s assassination and

eventual death. Spielberg ends the movie by returning to Lincoln’s second inaugural address.

Lincoln states “with malice towards none; with charity to all”, exemplifying that how in the end

his resolute confidence allowed him to successfully fight for what he believes in.

Cinematic Analysis Part B : Lincoln

It is evident that Steven Spielberg includes only realistic aspects of history regarding

Lincoln’s presidency in his film ​Lincoln​. Each event is accurately portrayed; even specific details

like Democratic position offers and the death of Lincoln’s first son. The only stray from total

historical accuracy that the film takes is Lincoln’s death prior to the Thirteenth Amendment’s

ratification. The film is set during the end of the Civil War and does not hide the mixed political

views inside both parties. History generally portrays the Republican party as directly opposing

slavery; however, ​Lincoln​ discusses that not every Republican was an abolitionist. The movie

also portrays Lincoln’s controversiality and how difficult it is for him to rally support for the

Thirteenth Amendment.

Spielberg additionally represents Lincoln in an accurate way. Lincoln only had “three

brief periods [of] formal schooling” and “one undistinguished congressional term under his belt”

(History). Lincoln’s casual attitude in the movie towards his cabinet and distinguished members

of government reflect his informal government education. The film has little historical bias other

than it’s firm position on Lincoln’s views on slavery at the time. Spielberg's “​narrow focus

glosses over Lincoln’s famously ambiguous views on slavery and racial equality” and portrays

him as a consistent abolitionist (Roland). When the film was released in 2012 it was nominated
for multiple Academy Awards and earned an oscar for actor Daniel Day Lewis.Some say that

“​Lincoln’​ s enduring popularity means that this film will be subjected to intense scrutiny and

debate by historians”, but it nonetheless set a new standard for historical movies (Roland).

Spielberg’s ​Lincoln​ accurately displays significant issues during the end of the Civil War and

created a new style for historical films.

Cinematic Analysis Part C : ​Lincoln

Question: Discuss how various cinematographic techniques are used to increase the viewer’s

awareness of the setting, characters, or plot development.

Lincoln​’s use of various cinematography lighting techniques are used to enhance the

chaotic and dismal mood of the film’s setting. The first portion of the film describes the events

that occur before the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment when the Civil War is still raging on.

During this time both the country and Lincoln are worried about the outcomes of the

Amendment and the war. Spielberg uses shadows and dark lighting in almost every shot during

this period to mimic the distressed attitude of the film’s characters. Then, immediately after the

Amendment is passed the first totally light shot of the film is shown, reflecting the now positive

attitudes of the Representatives and of the country.

During the first scenes of the film Lincoln is shown describing a dream to his wife Mary.

In the dream he describes himself on a boat drifting towards something unknown which Mary

claims is the Thirteenth Amendment. Spielberg smoothly pans the shot and blurs the darkened

image to create the effect of being in a dream. The filmmakers, additionally, uses a static effect
on the shot similar to that of a film roll, reflecting how Lincoln is recalling the dream. ​Lincoln​,

overall, uses lighting to enhance the dark or hopeful moods of the setting.

Works Cited

History.com Editors, editor. "Abraham Lincoln." ​History​, A&E Television

Networks, 29 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/

abraham-lincoln. Accessed 7 Oct. 2018.

Roland, Nicholas. "Spielberg's Lincoln: A Historical Review." ​Alcalde,​ 28 Nov.

2012, alcalde.texasexes.org/2012/11/

spielbergs-lincoln-a-historians-review/. Accessed 7 Oct. 2018.