Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940)

Directed by

John Cromwell

Genre

drama film, biographical film

Country

United States

Runtime

1h 50m

Rated

NR

Rating

6.9 of 10 from 27 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

This film follows Abraham Lincoln from his early days on a farm in Illinois through his rise to the presidency. It shows his personal struggles and political growth as he faces key moments in his life.

dignifiedreflectiveearneststeadyinspirationalhistoricalstatelysolemn

What happens

Abe Lincoln in Illinois is a 1940 biographical-drama film that depicts the life of Abraham Lincoln from his departure from his father's Decatur, Illinois farm until his election as president of the United States. In the UK, the film is known by the alternate title Spirit of the People. The film was adapted by Grover Jones and Robert E. Sherwood from Sherwood's 1938 Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. It was directed by John Cromwell. The film stars Raymond Massey and Howard da Silva, who reprised their roles from the original Broadway production of Abe Lincoln in Illinois, playing Abe Lincoln and Jack Armstrong respectively. Herbert Rudley, who had portrayed Seth Gale in the play, also repeated his role in the film version. The film also marks the screen debut of Ruth Gordon in the role of Mary Todd Lincoln. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Raymond Massey) and Best Cinematography, Black-and-White (James Wong Howe). (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

More like this

• Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
• Abraham Lincoln (1930)
• Lincoln (1992)
• Lincoln in the White House (1939)
• Lincoln and the War Within (1992)
• The Better Angels (2014)
• Citizen Kane (1941)
• The Life of Abraham Lincoln (1915)