Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)


A fictionalized account of the early life of the American president as a young lawyer facing his greatest court case.

Basically a courtroom mystery this movie has more to offer with its beautiful and poetic cinematography and a splendid cast, and Henry Fonda's portayal of Abraham Lincoln is meticulous.

Halliwell***: "Splendid performances and period atmosphere are rather nipped  in the bud by second-feature courtroom twists, but this is a marvellous old-fashioned entertainment with its heart in the right place."

Maltin***1/2: "Not so much a historical document as a slice of Americana, filtered throuth the sensibilities of director Ford and screenwriter Lamar Trotti. The early episodic portion of the film, covering Abe Lincoln's formative years, includes some of Ford's most lyrical moments, luminously photographed by Bert Glennon."

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