| 15+Cautions: language, brief intense violence and mild gore, some emotional intensity, brief immodesty, some ethical confusion and historical controversy
Lincoln is an excellently-made movie depicting Abraham Lincoln’s last major political achievements in his role as a benevolent dictator. Historically accurate in all major points, the film portrays Lincoln’s kindness and commitment to end slavery in the United States, as well as his troubled relationships and his underhanded political methods.
2012 | Steven Spielberg | 150 min Watch Trailer
Language
Oh G-d!
Dear G-d!
G-d d-mn!
G-d d-mn
G-d d-mn
G-d d-mned
G-d d-mned
G-d d-mned
G-d d-mned
G-d d-mned
G-d d-mned
G-d d-mned
G-d d-mned
D-mn!
D-mn!
D-mn!
D-mn!
D-mn!
D-mn!
d-mn
d-mn
d-mn
d-mned
H-ll!
H-ll!
H-ll!
the h-ll
the h-ll
To h-ll with it!
I'll be f---ed!
son of a b-tch
son of a b-tch
p-ss
sh-t
sh-t
sh-t
Crass and negatively-portrayed, racist characters use the word “nigger” occasionally, and make strong derogatory remarks about Negroes.
Brief Intense Violence and Mild Gore
There is a brief battle scene in the rain with several bayonet stabbings—minimal gore, but obvious actions—and a number of brief shots of men being held down under the several-inches-deep water. Later on, another battlefield is shown covered with fallen soldiers, emphasizing that aspect of war with numerous but not sensational glimpses of the dead.
In a brief segment, a small cart is wheeled past, dripping a constant stream of blood. Spoiler Warning - The cart is shown to hold a pile of amputated limbs, which are dumped into a pit already containing many others. There are no close-up views.
Some Emotional Intensity
A couple of scenes show Lincoln’s wife, Mary, sobbing almost uncontrollably at the memory of their son who had died years before. One of these scenes also depicts an intense fight between Abraham and Mary Lincoln with quite a bit of shouting, Abraham Lincoln bringing up his wife’s episodes of mental insanity. One very brief conversation ends in Lincoln slapping his eldest son. There is a brief shot of a burning city at night. The shooting of the President is announced, and Lincoln is briefly shown lying dead on a bed surrounded by mourners.
Brief Immodesty
One non-sensual scene shows Mary Lincoln undressing down to a wide-necked nightgown that falls off one shoulder.
Some Ethical Confusion
Lincoln’s determination to end slavery involves a number of unconstitutional and underhanded methods, among them bribing malleable congressmen with patronage jobs, and having a fierce abolitionist congressman overawe a timid congressman into switching political parties. Lincoln admits to other at best questionable acts (see Historical Controversy).
Lincoln pardons a sixteen-year-old soldier who lamed his horse to avoid battle on the grounds that a boy shouldn’t be hanged for being frightened, or for being cruel to his horse.
Lincoln is said to have “semi-divine” standing. He references the pagan god Neptune. His call, “Thunder forth, God of War!” might refer to the true God or a pagan deity, or figuratively to the Secretary of War. In a brief conversation, a character says, “God will see to it,” and changes to “Then you will see to it,” after Lincoln suggests that God may find His task challenging. Lincoln wonders aloud if we are fitted to the times we’re born into. Mary Lincoln refers to herself as her husband’s “soothsayer” for interpreting his dreams.
Mary Todd Lincoln is depicted as somewhere in between charming-and-clever and spiteful-and-insane. She makes a number of cutting remarks to a congressman, and tells her husband emphatically that he will answer to her if their son dies in the war.
There is a disguised mention of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species.
In a scene based on educated speculation, one of the abolitionist leaders is briefly and non-sensually depicted getting into bed next to his black housekeeper.
Historical Controversy
Lincoln admits the at best questionable legal foundation of the Emancipation Proclamation, and admits to having ignored the courts’ decisions. Mention is also made of Lincoln’s controversial acts of suspending habeas corpus and freedom of the press, and a member of Lincoln’s cabinet accuses him of dictatorship and of intruding the Executive into Legislative prerogatives. Lincoln also displays a very high view of his authority as President.
Lincoln’s statements generally affirm a belief in the natural equality of the races, but one conversation gives a distinct nod to his historical belief that there was an insurmountable difference between the races, which prevented them from living together in social equality.
The Southern characters believe that there are two countries involved in the war, the Northern characters that there is only one. A side character solemnly refers to the Southerners as traitors.
A Colored regiment is said to have decided not to take prisoners in a battle after a Southern regiment killed all Negro prisoners after a previous engagement.
Note:
Characters are occasionally shown with, or near, drinks. A woman laughingly tells a servant to get her father drunk so he can sleep through a long journey.
Lincoln tells a somewhat crude anecdote about Ethan Allen and a portrait of George Washington hanging in a privy.
Characters smoke cigars and pipes. One minor character chews tobacco.
A few low characters gamble at cards.
