It's not illegal to bribe congressmen. They'd starve otherwise.

Rating: 8/10 (28 September 2013)

If the current congress were as interesting as the one portrayed here, then C Span would be the top station on TV. However, these men portrayed in the movie were well educated and literate, not a bunch of teabaggers.
The issue of freedom for slaves was never better illustrated than in this film. The idea that freedom would lead to voting rights, not only for African-Americans, but for women, was anathema to the congress assembled. They had to be bribed with government jobs to change their votes. Principle set aside for money, it was thus then, is now, and will ever be.
The actors, Daniel Day Lewis, David Strathairn, Tommy Lee Jones, and others were magnificent, especially Daniel Day-Lewis and Tommy Lee Jones.
Mrs Lincoln was a particularly disgusting individual, and it is appropriate that Sally Field had the part. Gloria Reuben as Elizabeth Keckley, had the part of a real and proud mother.