Best Picture of 2012. A Spielberg Triumph

Rating: 10/10 (27 August 2013)

The Academy got it wrong. This is the best film of 2012. This is Steven Spielberg's triumph. At about 2 1/2 hours, it's a bit long, so it is best enjoyed on "disc" with perhaps an intermission or 2-night viewing, as it does bog down a bit at the two hour mark, but I wouldn't cut a thing. Daniel Day-Lewis IS Lincoln. His performance is beyond amazing. Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones give surprisingly superlative performances. Their best ever. As do the rest of the fantastic supporting cast. It's not for children. The war and hospital sequences show the brutality and stupidity of war. The amputation "dumping" of arms and legs is nightmarish. You must see this film. It is better and far less melodramatic than "Gone With the Wind." It only covers the last four months of Lincoln's administration and the passing of the 13th amendment, abolishing slavery. Both Lincoln and Mary Todd-Lincoln portray amazing stress and seem to age "years". Great "sets", make up and costuming. The dialog seems absolutely real and believable . You must buy this video, but wait until the price settles down. It is a haunting and terrible slice of history. Beautiful location cinematography. The Ford Theater assassination is only covered briefly, and only because it is expected to be mentioned in the film. Amazing in all aspects. I actually give it an "eleven".