COMPARING CINEMATIC DEPICTIONS OF LINCOLN
In this lesson, students identify and interpret cinematic depictions of Abraham Lincoln as expressed through two highly acclaimed biographical movies: John Ford’s [i]Young Mr. Lincoln[/i] (1939) and Steven Spielberg’s [i]Lincoln[/i] (2012). Ford’s film focuses on Lincoln as a young lawyer in Illinois, years before he would run for public office. Spielberg’s movie focuses on the last few months of the president’s life and his efforts to pass the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude. Students will screen and analyze scenes from both movies and comment on the contrasting depictions.
