Steven Spielberg’s 2012 biographical drama, Lincoln, is considered to be one of his all-time best works.
The historical period film has been directed and produced by Spielberg, with a screenplay penned by Tony Kushner. Loosely based on Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, a 2005 biography written by Doris Kearns Goodwin, the film spans the last four months of the political leader’s life.
With Daniel Day-Lewis taking on the lead role of the United States’ President Abraham Lincoln, the film also stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, David Strathairn, James Spader, and Hal Holbrook in supporting roles.
Lincoln focuses on the renowned political heavyweight’s efforts to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude by getting the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution passed by the US House of Representatives in January 1865.
With an 89 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes, Lincoln was nominated for 12 Oscars at the 85th Academy Awards and bagged top honours for Best Production Design and Best Actor for Day-Lewis, making it his third win in the prestigious category after My Left Foot (1989) and There Will Be Blood (2007). Lincoln was also nominated for seven Golden Globe Awards.
Lauding Day-Lewis’ performance in the film, one critic said: “A good film blessed with an extraordinary and surefire Oscar caliber performance from Daniel Day-Lewis.”
While another wrote: “A haunting performance that is one of Lewis’ finest in a career filled with towering achievements, proving yet again that he is arguably our greatest living actor.”
Not only was Lincoln a critically acclaimed success, it was also considered to be a commercial hit, garnering $275.3 million at the global box-office against its $65 million production budget.
Another critic felt the movie brought Lincoln to life: “There is a reason the eternal flame of Lincoln burns so brightly to this day. Thanks to Steven Spielberg, you can see the legacy, meet the man and “feel” the fabric of history…”
And one reviewer felt it was overall “a grand success”, adding: “With a lavish and distinctive look, superb acting and artfully rendered material, it’s difficult to call Lincoln anything but a grand success.”
Audience reviews follow in the same vein, with viewers left bowled over by Spielberg’s direction and Day-Lewis’ portrayal.
While one viewer called it: “A wonderful film. The cast is outstanding, from lead to lesser parts in support. Spielberg is in top form and the elements he weaves work together seamlessly, moving from drama to humor, from act to contemplation deftly. The whole strikes a wonderful balance in illustrating the greatness and the humanity of the subject, and of the time that shaped him and was altered forever by him. Do yourself a favor, watch this movie.”
Another felt: “This movie is an absolute masterpiece by Danial Day-Lewis. It’s the best possible portrayal that I believe we can get of Abraham Lincoln. This will definitely be a movie that stands the test of time and as of 2025 I’d say it has.”
Lincoln is available to stream for free on ITVX.