One of the 50 greatest films of the last 100 years.

Rating: 10/10 (9 October 2013)

Subtle. Thoughtful. Articulate. Historically Accurate. Brilliantly Acted.
Ultimately, this movie is a greater tribute to one of the greatest US presidents than any 'straight' biography would have been. We don't need to see a young Abe splitting rails -- we can see his strength and independence clearly enough through day lewis's brilliant portrayal. we don't need to see the bullet entering his body at fords theater (as some juvenile commenters here have insisted); we understand the event better by watching the effects it had on the others, such as molly Todd Lincoln.
we get great insight into politics -- both of the era and in general - especially through the eyes of Tommy lee Jones' perfect portrayal of Thad Stevens.
but most of all, we see that truly great things like the emancipation proclamation and the 13th amendment were ultimately real things made by real people and not those by some to-be-over-idealized demi-gods.
ignore the juveniles (who demand more "action" or a more "paint by numbers" biography) and the ideologues (who are offended by one aspect or another of the essentially accurately portrayed history) and see this film, start to finish, with no distractions. You just might find yourself watching it three times in a row, as I did.
I give this film what I very very seldom give on IMDb: an unhesitating 10/10.