UnowPriceless hyped garbage

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Jenni Devyn Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

classicsoncall Back in the early Seventies I researched a college history class assignment on the assassination of Lincoln and was surprised about everything I learned at the time that wasn't common knowledge. "Killing Lincoln" is even more of an eye opener as it delves into the conspiracy headed by actor John Wilkes Booth, a Southern zealot who had a fanatical hatred for the President. What started out as a kidnap plot to exchange Lincoln for captured Confederate soldiers became a scheme to debilitate the federal government by killing the President, Vice President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Henry Seward.In regards to the overall documentary, the effort appears to be exhaustively researched and well presented. However I take issue with narrator Tom Hanks who states that this was the 'most resonant crime in the history of the nation'. Surely Hanks was alive when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on the streets of Dallas, and in terms of 'resonance' for modern day viewers, I think Hanks' claim might have been made more for effect than for accuracy. By saying this I don't mean to imply that Lincoln's death was any less horrific or consequential, but in the 1860's it often took news of events a number of days or even weeks to travel across a smaller country than we have today. Additionally, it's made clear that Lincoln was hated by many, even some within his own party, whereas Kennedy enjoyed a popularity during his brief presidency that will probably never be rivaled again.So that's just a minor nit-pick I had with the picture. Though some other reviewers here expressed dissatisfaction with the principals who portrayed Lincoln (Billy Campbell) and Booth (Jesse Johnson), I don't think I ever gave it a second thought. This is a documentary one goes into to learn the facts behind an historical event, so I wasn't looking for or expecting an Oscar caliber performance. The principal players did a credible job backed up by supporting cast that handled their roles well.So overall, an excellent documentary that provides a springboard for those with more than a passing interest in the death of the sixteenth president. Behind the mere fact of Lincoln's assassination lies an entire saga relating to those responsible and the measures they took on the tragic night of April 14th, 1865.

gabriellkolmercc16 I think that this is a good movie. As for myself not being a huge documentary fan, that aspect of he film wasn't so much to my liking. I wish it had been more of a movie with a plot and storyline, without all of the narrating. However for the purpose that I was to watch it (a history class assignment) I learned a lot through it, and despite my negative feelings toward he narration, Tom Hanks does a wonderful job setting the viewer up and giving them a sufficient amount of background knowledge to be able to understand the happenings of the movie. Also at some points throughout the movie, the way that certain scenes were filmed seemed a bit shaken almost, unprofessional-like. Now whether that was done on purpose or not, I was not very pleased with that. I did like the way that before a new event began in the movie, or a new scene, the time, place and date were shown. Again providing the viewer with background information so they don't get too lost in following the story. As for the story itself, the story of the assassination of President Lincoln, in my opinion, was told very well through this movie. I liked the way that it seemed to take an objective approach and just told the story how it happened, without seeming to really advocate for either side more than the other. It was very informative and I thought that the casting was done well too. John Wilkes Booth's character especially fit, I think, because he just seems creepy the whole way through the movie, with his mustache and the journal entries he writes of his self justification for the terrible thing he has done. All in all I think that this movie was a good movie, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the story of Lincoln's assassination or who particularly enjoy historical documentaries.

Michael_Elliott Killing Lincoln (2013)*** (out of 4) Tom Hanks hosts and narrates this docu-drama about the final days in the life of Abraham Lincoln (Billy Campbell) who would be assassinated by John Wilkes Booth (Jesse Johnson) and change American history forever. Hanks starts off quickly talking about how history has shown Lincoln as a martyr but then mentions that a minute before his death he really wasn't all that popular. This approach isn't something most documentaries take but it pretty much goes away from anything new and instead just tells us the assassination story again. Last year I watched quite a few documentaries on the Civil War and Lincoln so I've become well versed in the subject. This film here is certainly worth watching but at the same time I do question if it was really necessary to do the film like this. We'll see quick re-enactment of events and then we'll flashback to Hanks who is usually sitting in a chair. He will then tell us something about the events going on (ala.. Lincoln has 12 hours to live) and then we go back to the footage. I think the film probably would have worked just as well had it been done as a straight movie without the narration. I also think it would have been great had Hanks just narrated the entire story. As it is the film is entertaining but I think at times we never really connect with the re-enactments and I think Billy Campbell really gets hosed because he never really gets to come to life as Lincoln. It seems most of Lincoln's greatness is told through the narration so the acting of Campbell really doesn't have much of a part to do. On the other hand, Johnson is simply wonderful in the role of Booth and really manages to steal the film. While the subject might be about Lincoln, the actor makes the greatest attention go to the murderer. The look of the film was quite nice even with the obvious at times CGI. History buffs are certainly going to enjoy this and I think the best thing is how is breaks down what was going on the day of the assassination.

richardcuccia If you watch this movie, you will know the facts of the events leading to, the events of, and the results of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. This is most excellently performed.The actors who portrayed both Lincoln (Billy Campbell) & Booth (Jesse Johnson) performed A plus roles. Both actors conveyed the feel of the age and the personality of both historical persons as history has made them known to us. Excellent. Johnson for sure deserves an award. Watching his performance, you will feel that you know Booth.If you are at all interesting in these events, watch this movie. You will be well educated, informed, and entertained. In this modern day, such a combination is rare, indeed.In the highest minded rationale, this is as good an expression of the TV art as there can be.