Poorly done, hard to follow garbage
Carmen | USA | 01/30/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Done in an MTV-like style, and accentuating the negative, this program will do little to give insight into Lincoln's greatness. In fact, you will come away thinking he was a loser. Mary Lincoln is similarly lambasted.
The documentary jumps back and forth with no apparent continuity or reason. In addition, many of the commentators are either openly hostile towards Lincoln, or are high-handed and eliteist.
Unwanted political/religious opinion from Gore Vidal also leaves one with a nasty taste in one's mouth. This should have been left on the cutting-room floor, having no place in this discussion.
Zero stars would be more fitting.
Get a copy of "A House Divided - Abraham and Mary Lincoln" from PBS - you will be better informed and genuinely touched.
Avoid this pap at all costs."
A dark cloud over Lincoln:
Todd E. Newman | Valparaiso, IN | 04/05/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Lincoln is probably one of the toughest individuals to grasp. Once you think you have him understood, something else about him comes out of the woodwork to make him more elusive.
Interestingly, this production allows us further insight to him in a unique, dark perspective at times. This production probably isn't correctly named as it's not about Lincoln in the complete form, but it takes a much darker, closeted approach to explaining the man.
I think many people were taken back a bit by this production and were expecting something lighter, more cheerful and triumphant about Lincoln but instead this film is the opposite. I can't say it was totally negative, it just offered strange, unusual insight and possibilities to this complex character. What this show tried to convey was just how some of Lincoln's motivations, considerations and mind state were developed from earlier boyhood years and dealing with depression.
I wasn't too keen on some of the considerations of Lincoln and possible suicidal tendencies. Unfortunately, this production focused a lot on negative things about Lincoln shading him in a dark shroud with shocking misery. It does offer interesting perspective, but the opinions stated are simply that. Opinions without fact. I know Lincoln had issues and had a lot of carry on his shoulders throughout life although I don't think he was so distraught, fearing and suicidal as this documentary portrays."
Inside story of President Lincoln
S. Odemis | VA United States | 01/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think most people agree that Lincoln was one of the best presidents in American History, if not the best. This DVD show what was the driving force behind his success and the difficulties he faced. I watched this DVD more than once. It's very interesting."
Lincoln
Stacy N. Hawks | North Carolina | 02/14/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Being a historian one can often find themselves focusing on one particular historic event. Lincoln's life, Presidency and death just happens to be mine. This biography is very well organized and deep in detail. Lincoln is painted in a whole different light then what most are used to. For the first time historians and authors of Lincoln Biographies talk about his depression, his marriage to Mary Todd, and how he got started in politics. It's an amazing documentary which I would highly recommend especially for the classroom. If you want to get your students attention about the Civil War, Lincoln and history show them this documentary. You will not be disappointed."