Saving Lincoln (2013) User Reviews

Lincoln thru his bodyguard's look!!!

[elo-equipamentos · 7/10 · 16 June 2019]

This was the second picture over the Lincoln's bodyguard, I didn't remember the name of the first picture, but quite sure about the attempt to kill Lincoln at Railway station only, Saving Lincoln embrace a large range of this bodyguard, since the first meeting until the final, it's clearly is about a small budge, using along the picture several sepia photographs from those era, also has many valuable informations over the war, for instance Lincoln blaming himself for 300 thousand lives lost at civil war, discussing the matter of the black people's war as some politicians tried suggest on the heat of the battle, many matters comes to surface, the bodyguard played by Lea Coco is enough good, as Lincoln as well, marvelous portrayed by Tom Amandes, without forget Penelope Ann Miller who already lost her early beauty, the American civil war was the turning point to America's leadership on the eastern nowadays, if the whole country was split maybe today the such position might had not happened, fine picture despite wasn't a big picture, is another look over this magnificent character called Abraham Lincoln!!!

Resume:

First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7

Not the Real Lincoln

[bilalq-85914 · 6/10 · 13 March 2018]

Saving Lincoln is a film that is relatively historically accurate, yet quite mediocre in production quality. While the actors are able to put up somewhat believable performances, some of them simply do not resemble the characters they are portraying. The film also seems to brush over some of Abraham Lincoln's most notable moments, as if the filmmakers are just showing a crash course on the life of Lincoln. Aside from this, some of the dialogue and pacing of the film is rather poor. Saving Lincoln primarily focuses on the relationship between our 16th President, played by Tom Amandes and his bodyguard, Ward Hill Lamon, played by Lea Coco. The film follows the duo from when they first meet all the way until Lincoln's second term as President. These two specific actors perform well objectively, and Coco seems to grasp the heroic nature needed to portray someone as vital as the bodyguard of the President. Amandes seems to be a bad fit for Lincoln though, as even when he makes the most of the sub-par dialogue, he simply does not look very much like Abraham Lincoln. In comparison to Daniel Day Lewis in Spielberg's Lincoln, Amandes looks very off. He does not seem tall enough, and his face is far too forgettable to be that of Lincoln's. Out of all Lincoln actors such as Lewis, Henry Fonda, and Raymond Massey, as well as others, Amandes seems the least like the President. His voice is also far too deep in pitch and is missing Lincoln's accent. The production quality of Saving Lincoln was not one of its strengths. Excessive use of a green screen and TV-movie-like costumes serve as the main factors here. The backgrounds appear fake and the costumes look cheap. The sepia filter applied over the footage is cheesy and unnecessary. This took away from the film more than it added anything. As mentioned earlier, the dialogue in Saving Lincoln is one of its weaker points. Character development is sparse, and exposition is given too quickly in the form of dialogue. Real conversations where the audience can notice the character's personalities and relationships with each other are lacking. For example, Lincoln and Lamon do not seem truly friendly with each other because of the dialogue the actors are given to work with. This film seems to lack patience and the opportunity to take a minute to breathe. It moves so quickly over momentous parts of Lincoln's life such as the Gettysburg Address, the death of Willie Lincoln, and his plans to end slavery. The film does seem to have a good grasp on the life of Lincoln, though. It includes scenes based on actual events. Even if they are just displayed in plain sight, scenes in which a first Lincoln assassination failed to fall through, Lamon protecting Lincoln on a horse ride, the delivery of the Gettysburg Address, and nearly all other scenes are based on real history.

Better than you think

[sfield-34975 · 6/10 · 18 March 2018]

Saving Lincoln (2013) is a film which I had mixed feelings about watching. Watching the trailer, I was both intrigued and puzzled with some of the directions the film took. Having just watched Steven Spielberg's Lincoln (2013) I had much lower expectations for this film. Yet, having invested my time in learning more about Lincoln over the last couple of months, I found it necessary to watch and see what the creators had in mind for this 2013 film. Suffice to say the film surpassed my expectations. Saving Lincoln tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's friend and bodyguard Marshall Ward Hill Lamon, the man who left his post at Ford's Theatre which ultimately led to Lincoln's demise. While nowhere close to Daniel Day Lewis's portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, Tom Amandes' portrayal of Lincoln incorporates much of the cleverness, compassion, humor and charm of the real-life Lincoln and does just enough to be believable. Other than Lincoln, Lea Coco's portrayal of Lincoln's friend Lamon is an interesting aspect which has never been focused on as much in past films. Aside from the acting the movie's cinematography is also an intriguing aspect of the film. The movie is filmed in a black and white background which is supposed to convey a historic feeling to the movie but is mostly hit or miss. At times the green screen look of the movie can seem cheap or cheesy, but at other times the style works surprisingly well as it shows real pictures from the civil war era which brings an interesting characteristic to the film. The films story itself incorporates a lot of historical accuracy of the era. Although the film is accurate for a lot of the movie, I did feel as though it tried too hard to list off every important event during the Civil war era of Lincoln's presidency without much depth. Overall, while the movie was better that I expected it is not a movie I would rave about to friends but it is worth a watch if you are even remotely interested in Lincoln.

A work whose reach exceeds its grasp

[pdking77 · 4/10 · 20 January 2019]

While the production concept is novel, using historic photographs largely as backdrops and sets, it fails largely because of the other shortcomings of this work. The characters have no charisma with the audience nor chemistry among each other. For example, it was difficult to sense the bond between Lamon and Lincoln or feel emotion over Willie's death. Although the handling of the assassination at Ford's Theater was done well with imagination and taste. And it was refreshing to see that Elizabeth Keckley was given her just due in the in er role in the White House. Overall, the acting seemed on par with local amateur or first-year college drama class. As a former American History teacher and "lincolophile" I have always been fascinated with his ability to personally interact and connect with almost everyone with whom he came in contact yet that is completely absent in this work. The effort was noble, the concept unique, but generally fails across the board.

Saving Lincoln

[hannah-62361 · 7/10 · 3 January 2017]

I enjoyed this movie and the new perspective it gave me on the life of Abraham Lincoln. The movie shows many important events during his time as president, but while most movies would only show these events from a military or political perspective, they are shown here from a personal perspective as well. We get to see how Lincoln's friends and family helped him through his presidency, and how they frequently tried to lighten the mood with music. I thought that this in particular made the movie interesting. Another thing that makes this movie unique is that it is in black and white. I liked this aspect because it worked well with the actual photographs from this time period that were already in black and white. Overall, I thought that the film was very good, and I learned a lot more than I had originally thought I was going to.

True Story But Sold short

[DKosty123 · 5/10 · 12 October 2019]

I have seen a lot of works on Lincoln, and I think it is a great idea to marry up original Civil War Photos in the background of a true story. That being said, for some reason the script writing on this one is lacking, because while it transfers accurate history, it makes it seem less interesting than it should be. For some reason, I did not get the last full measure I expected from this film.

The acting seems hollow, but part of this is the script. There is also a part of the acting as the actor playing Lincoln, especially late in the film, seems too young for the main role. Their effort seems like a lite walk through serious history instead of the passion the role requires. Some of that passion is from the script lacking passion for the actor to get a grip on as well.

I do like the visuals, and the ways this is done, but the body guard angle struggles with script too. Overall, it does not draw me into the story enough and considering this is one of the most interesting eras of US History, I was surprised by what I expected, compared to what I got out of this one.

Enjoyable Perspective of Lincoln's Life

[elizamancecc · 6/10 · 1 January 2017]

The movie showed Lincoln's life and his struggles from a very different point of view. You see it from the point of view of Lincoln's good friend Ward Hill Lamon. The movie shows the risks taken by Lincoln during his everyday life because of the threats of assassination. Although Lincoln continued to take these risks, his bodyguard and close friend Lamon kept doing everything in his power to protect Lincoln from all possible threats. The film was done in a very unique way with actual pictures from this time period being used as the background. I enjoyed learning about Lincoln and his life from the perspective of Lamon, which is different from the way you would traditionally learn about Lincoln.

Saving Lincoln

[nicholascoluccicc · 5/10 · 3 January 2016]

The movie Saving Lincoln portrays an extremely good description of Abraham Lincoln life and the hardships he endured. The movie is narrated by one of his close friend and personal bodyguard, Ward Hill Lamon. As you watch the movie from the perspective of Lamon you get to see both the struggles that Lincoln had and the extreme difficulty and tiring task of keeping the most loved but also most hated person in the United States alive during the time of the Civil War. The movie also stays very historically accurate and the use of real Civil War pictures really brings the whole meaning of the movie together. The movie takes you on a journey of the ¨epic friendship¨ between Lincoln and Ward Hill Lamon.

Saving Lincoln

[tkmail-59145 · 6/10 · 2 January 2017]

I have seen a variety of films based on the Abraham Lincoln but none were, in my opinion, as amazing as this one. Many had false historical interpretations while this one stuck to the facts. I enjoyed Tom Amandes portrayal of Lincoln and felt he brought a sense of life to our textbooks; we were able to understand better his life story and his many struggles. The film itself had a unique look too. It's black and white photography made the characters become more the center of attention rather than having the audience focus too much on what was happening behind them.(it almost looked like a play was taking place!) This film was emotional not only because it was describing events of the civil war but also in the relationship that existed between Lincoln and Ward Hill Lamon(his bodyguard). I enjoyed learning about Lincoln in the perspective of his bodyguard and feel I have a greater understanding now of his presidency.

Turn's Lincoln into an evangelical

[gpjkmyd · 1/10 · 27 March 2023]

Fast and lose with motive and historical record. Yes there were plots against Lincoln but much of the dialogue is absurd.

The hokey scenes of riding through fake battlefields in in a carriage is too much. Making this movie on the cheap was the only way to get this before the public. At least, it will be playing every night at Hillsdale College. With a script that appears written by Liberty University, it presents an Abraham Lincoln that no cursory examination of Lincoln's writings would support.

Must have been paid for by DeSantis historical revisions board in Florida.

God protect us from the village idiots.

Groundbreaking Portrayal of Lincoln

[ajlewis-607-650328 · 10/10 · 13 February 2013]

I was moved by this film. As someone who has lived in the DC area my entire life, has visited Ford's Theater on numerous occasions, and has been to Gettysburg, Antietam, and other civil war battlefields more times than I can remember, I felt that seeing Tom Amandes' portrayal of Lincoln this evening brought me closer to understanding Lincoln the man than I have ever been. Amandes' Lincoln was not overplayed, but real and genuine. Litvak was bold in creating his Lincoln as a man of faith and emotion, natural charisma and strength. Lincoln's melancholy made him more endearing, not distant. Penelope Ann Miller's Mary Todd was also genuine, a person of real emotion, not the disconnected and distant caricature that she has been portrayed in previous films. Lea Coco was masterful in walking the line between obsessive, monomaniacal protector and best friend of the most indispensable man of his time. No spoiler here, but Coco's finest hour came towards the end of the film in my opinion, when he as Lamon visibly let down his guard for the first time, no longer able to protect his friend. What an amazing piece of art this film is. Seeing the actual images of Civil War soldiers in the hospital behind Lincoln in one scene tapped an emotional well in me as I realized that these were real people, real faces of the men who fought and died for their country, and for this I must say that the Cinecollage method that Litvak has brought to life is a treasure that is capable of connecting us with our history in a way that is unique and of deep value. I applaud the creator and cast for the wonderful film and eagerly await the opportunity to see it again.

Head and shoulders above his critics

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 23 December 2017]

During the years of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War there was quite a renewal of interest in the War Between the States and the massive Lincoln film came out the year before Saving Lincoln did. With all the honors that film received Saving Lincoln has been kind of pushed into the background. Still it is a film that stands on its own merits.

I remember Tom Amandes best from his reprise of The Untouchables as Eliot Ness. He certainly proved up to the challenge of playing Abraham Lincoln. One thing that is shown here and not often demonstrated was how politically shrewd and how deceptively cunning Lincoln could be at times. A quality lacking certainly in his immediate successor.

Also demonstrated is the amount of abuse Lincoln took and how now in history he rises head and shoulders above his critics. Presidential dignity was of paramount importance to him and to the men who were president who history has deemed great. I suspect had Twitter been available he would have disdained its use.

In terms of devotion to his chief Ward Hill Lamon was the ideal presidential aide. He was appointed a federal marshal for the District of Columbia to give him a kind of official status. His job simply was to guard Lincoln and Lincoln being our tallest president didn't make it easy. In real life Lamon was nearly that height himself.. The singular devotion is brought out by actor Lea Coco playing Lamon.

A key scene in the film is where Lincoln first meets Lamon. The attorneys who rode circuit with Lincoln and you see them in the tavern knocking back a few after a day's work were the people who were Lincoln's close associates. The guys who knew him when so to speak. The bonds formed there were the strongest ties Lincoln had, maybe even more so than his wife played here by Penelope Ann Miller.

Saving Lincoln will give you another perspective on the man most historians rank as our greatest president. He certainly faced the greatest challenge we ever had as a nation.

Sepia Sick Sorrowful Wasted Effort

[denis888 · 1/10 · 22 May 2017]

Daniel Day Lewis was a great Linoln portrayal actor. Gregory Peck was. They both did excellent jobs. Here, in this totally unrealistic and unreal flick everything is wrong, and it can awake only one decent emotion - laughter. And then having one's shoulders shrugged. Awful, amateurish, shallow, slick and very untrue to historical roots, this unfunny, insidious and unreal effort is a waste of time, money and wits. It is not even funny to entertain. It is sepia dark, sickly sour and badly executed imagination-land of what coulda shoulda woulda. My advice - do not even try to watch this. It is awful and empty

Saving History

[rachelgerami · 4/10 · 9 March 2020]

After watching Saving Lincoln directed by Salvador Litvak (2013), there are many things to be said about the cinematography as well as the performances, and historical accuracy of this film. This film stands out as compared to other Lincoln films, as Litvak made the artistic choice to include actual images from the civil war as green screen backgrounds to scenes. While the concept was interesting, it made the movie seem more like a play as the images did not always suit the action occuring in front of them. After watching films such as Spielberg's Lincoln (2012), it was hard to get into the movie and feel as though you were actually watching Lincoln, or actually watching parts from the civil war as it seemed almost comical. That being said, the performances by Tom Amandes as Abraham Lincoln, among others, was a good attempt, however it did not help the already comical tone. Amandes only resembled Lincoln through his top hat and beard, nothing else about him portrayed Lincoln accurately. That also being said, it felt as though the inclusion of History was such a focus, that the entertainment aspect to the film was not given much attention. While a lot of the plot as well as the events are true to history, it lacked to hold my interest. It felt almost as if it was a live action documentary, not a movie. Although it is 2020, seven years after its release, I hadn't watched this movie until right after watching Spielberg's Lincoln recently. That did not help make this movie seem any better. When you compare this film to older Lincoln films from the 1900's, such as D.W. Griffith's Abraham Lincoln (1930), or John Ford's Young Mr. Lincoln (1939), this movie has a lot more value and interest due to its modernism and historical accuracy. However, when compared to more recent, and critically acclaimed films such as Spielberg's Lincoln it does not even come close. Overall this was a good concept, however lacked the luster to make it a good watch.

Unique

[colbertadrian · 5/10 · 16 March 2023]

Saving Lincoln is an unique take on that time period, with authentic photographs of the buildings and people from that era, gave it an unique sense of connection, kinda puts the actors and the viewer back in time, Tom Amandes take on Lincoln was comical, to the point when watching it, I couldn't imagine this Lincoln being elected President, sometimes he reminded me of the Gov on the Benson sitcom, I had never heard of Ward Hill Lamon before, so there were no expectations of this character, we all know how the story turns out, was just looking for some unknown filler to the pvt life of the President, It's a good one time watch, fast paced and well acted.

Really boring and Mary miscast

[littlelurie · 3/10 · 29 February 2020]

I get so disgusted when filmmakers go for a big name actress who is physically the opposite of Mary Lincoln. Cast someone who really resembles her, then give her a copy of Ruth Painter Randall's biography of Mary. She will have little trouble rising to the challenge. The credits should refer to her as Mary Lincoln, as she thought of herself. "Todd" was used by historians, not her.

The movie as a whole mostly consisted of well-known historical tidbits. Many scenes were too dark to make out what was happening. It seemed disjointed and production appeared low budget. I can't recommend this to anyone.

WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME AGAIN

[nogodnomasters · 4/10 · 25 April 2018]

This is yet another "historical" look at the life of Lincoln (Tom Amandes) as seen through the eyes of Ward Hill Lamon (Lea Coco), his friend and bodyguard. The film starts with their meeting and ends shortly after Lincoln's death.

The acting was first and foremost horrible. The reading of the Gettysburg Address was akin to Rosanne Barr performing the National Anthem. The dialogue was unrealistic, at times modern, and mostly fictional. The theological discussion Lincoln has with a former slave had me scratch my head. His kneeling afterwards and belief that he had a divine purpose was Lamon's answer to Herdon's biography which claimed Lincoln was an atheist. I wouldn't put either view into a film.

The background was taken from 3D viewmaster pictures and even crowds were still photos with "actors" in front of them. It gave the film a cheap surreal look. Historically I was scratching my head too. Upon their meeting they wanted Hill to perform a song from West Virginia which wasn't a state at that time. The famous picture of Washington which we all looked at in school with its bottom partially burned off from the War of 1812 was fully intact in this film. Edward D. Baker died in Oct. of 1861 but is presented at a time of the announcements of battles well into 1862.

There is a constant self glorification of Ward Hill Lamon whose speech was grandiose and yes he was also an Amazing Kreskin at predicting the death of the President. Not an impressive film.

Brilliant

[trescia-1 · 10/10 · 3 December 2018]

I'm sure there's some peculiar reason for this film film to be lambasted by a particular sort of fellow, but I'm really tired of those fellows. I wish there were a way to click a "hide spittle-flecked rants" toggle.

Alas. Not available.

This beautiful piece of work should be shown in classrooms if only to provide a break from the monotony of formal education and give even the most alienated young American a glimpse into a world not unlike our own-- and parallel to it. Where guys-- just guys like you and me-- found themselves having to act with dreadful nobility during a hateful stretch of misery while, all the while, wearing silly clothing. Pomp and circumstance and stovepipe hats and rivulets of blood and men in stifling wool uniforms blown apart by rifled musketry and women wearing linen tents like trade shows for textile millers...

Damn all war to hell. Hats off for Mr. Lincoln. Amen.

(If you liked this review, you'll like the movie. If not, skip it. There. Surely THAT was HELPFUL.)

An earnest attempt

[DaveyBoyMus · 5/10 · 28 December 2020]

While this film was no doubt overshadowed by the theatrical release of Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln", it's attempts at telling a story are admirable, with a rather modest performance by Tom Amandes as the 16th president, which serves as the true highlight of the film. Lea Coco plays the role of Ward Hill Lamon, Lincoln's self-appointed bodyguard, and merely plays second fiddle to Amandes while brandishing a Southern accent. Perhaps the biggest thing that stands out in the film is its reliance on a green screen for setting and background, which, due to the film's modest budget, is impossible to hide. However, the film succeeds in demonstrating the friendship between Lincoln and Lamon.

Interesting concept, mediocre result

[MarktheGeezer · 4/10 · 29 January 2020]

They tried to do something groundbreaking, but it didn't quite work. It is a shame, because the story is interesting. Lamon looked suspiciously like he borrowed his clothes from some old tv western.

Original and artistically portrayed

[Ctchung4 · 9/10 · 25 February 2013]

I enjoyed the film for its portrayal of President Abraham Lincoln from the perspective of his confidant, Ward Lamon Hill, and the use of the photographs from the Civil War era. The scenes tended to play out so fast that it would at first seem improbable to develop sympathy for the characters, but it turned out that it was not at all the case. I felt that there were many shining moments in the film, especially when you got pulled in by the emotionally captivating speech at the end of the seance. It was probably tough to try to cram President Lincoln's life into a duration of less than 2 hours, but I loved the music and that it was, well, different.

President Lincoln has been my favorite historical figure, and I learned so much more about him from watching this film.

A great different story about Lincoln

[boblevoy · 10/10 · 30 May 2013]

There has been many films done about Abraham Lincoln and most have the same material. This film "Saving Lincoln" brings a new and fresh story about Lincoln and that was about his bodyguard Ward Hill Lamon and showed a different side of Lincoln, a side of Lincoln taking unnecessary risks with his Life. First i want to say this film was very well written and done by director Sal Litvak and Nina Davidovich. Also superb performances by Tom Amandes as Lincoln and Lea Coco as Marshall Lamon. And also great performances by Bruce Davidson and Penelope Ann Miller. This is a film i highly recommend everyone to watch this film and add it to your Lincoln collection. There has been several Lincoln Films and Documentaries done this past year. This one is among the best i have ever seen.

Different perspective; striking photography

[robinsdh · 8/10 · 7 March 2016]

A very different angle on a popular figure in history: that of a self-appointed bodyguard. What hits you first is the unique look of the film. Hard to describe, clearly CG but surreal black and white backgrounds project the foreground subjects almost into your lap! When Lincoln makes an address, the stylized crowds come across as evocative, almost haunting. Again, you have to see it to experience it. On the down side, actors did not look much like their historical counterparts but did act well. Also, Lincoln wasn't tall enough! There is clearly some license taken with Abe's statements but probably to work them into the story. I found the length of time one had to stand still for pictures back then excruciating, if accurate. I thought Tom Amandes' interpretation of the Gettysburg Address one of the best in film.

A Great Experiment

[AlexBraunberger · 8/10 · 23 July 2018]

A film unlike any I have seen before, it uses live action in combination with actual photographs from the era, as a backdrop. I think that the makers of this we're going for that sense of realism that is associated with historical photos. And few periods in American history have been more photographed than the Civil War.

The premise of the film is the friendship between President Abraham Lincoln and his best bodyguard. The one most loyal and vigilant in his duty of protecting the life of the president of the United States. It avoids any awkward moments that could be easily misconstrued by politically-correct revisionists. As far as I know the makers of this film did their homework.

Understandable for the current viewer

[photoweborama · 10/10 · 8 December 2018]

Not to mention the way it was filmed, but the voicing and dialog were easy to understand and allowed you to become entwined with the characters. Unique from films along the same subject.