Abraham Lincoln (1930) - film review

In 1809, a child was born in a humble log cabin who would grow up to become one of the greatest political leaders in history.  His name was Abraham Lincoln.  Whilst working as a lawyer in Illinois, Lincoln entered politics and was chosen to lead the Republican Party.  Within months of his taking office as 16th President of the United States in 1861, he faced the challenge of his life: how to preserve the Union.  With the southern states bent on secession, military force appears to be the only way to hold the country together…

D.W. Griffith’s first sound film is this ambitious portrait of the life of Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest figures in American history.  It covers the whole of Lincoln’s life, from his birth, his humble upbringing, his early career, his entry into politics, his marriage, his period in office as President of the USA, and his assassination by John Wilkes Booth.   Although Griffith’s use of sound is awkward and at times jarring (the homespun dialogue even more so), his masterful camerawork and ability to convey emotion through image makes this an attractive film.

Admittedly, the film doesn’t have the hold that the director’s previous silent masterpieces have, and compared with Birth of a Nation and Orphans of the Storm it feels pretty bland.  However, Walter Huston gives a magnificent portrayal of Lincoln, capturing the great man’s love of his country and the individuals who brought meaning to his life. Where the film is strongest is its depiction of the American Civil War – not just the stirring images of soldiers marching off to war and the impressive panoramic battle scenes, but also the quieter moments where Lincoln and others reflect on the intolerable human cost of the war.   By showing Lincoln as a comparatively modest man with an aching conscience, the film brings home his immense, unwavering humanity, which was most likely the source of his greatness as a leader of men.

After an unsuccessful first release, the film was cut from two hours to 97 minutes.   It was to be Griffith’s last money-spinner.  His final film, The Struggle, would prove to be a financial disaster, an ignominious end to the career of one of the greatest of American filmmakers.

© James Travers 2006

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