Young Mr. Lincoln
By Jeffrey Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Outstanding, inspirational story of Honest Abe's early days.
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What's the Story?
Young Abraham Lincoln (Henry Fonda) loses his first love and spends a little time trying to decide what to do with his life. He tries running for the state legislature, but his interest is piqued when a lawbook falls into his hands. He teaches himself the law and becomes a lawyer. Just in time, too; during a raucous Fourth of July celebration, a man is murdered, and two decent brothers from out of town are blamed. Each brother confess to the crime in an attempt to save the other, and their mother -- the only witness -- refuses to name the guilty one. Lincoln agrees to this impossible case, and blusters his way through the haphazard trial, looking for that one real clue that will free his clients. Meanwhile, the feisty Mary Todd (Marjorie Weaver) tries her best to flirt with the thoughtful Lincoln...
Is It Any Good?
In 1939, John Ford was already a master and had won the first of his four Best Director Oscars; this film is a perfect, smooth combination of all of Ford's favorite themes. He seamlessly works in patriotism, myth, broad humor, dancing, and a love of history, as well as his unerring, poetic visual sense. Just witness the scene in which Lincoln (a terrific Henry Fonda, wearing a prosthetic nose and chin) arrives at the scene of the crime. He's framed from the back, a still, solid, black silhouette in the center of the commotion.
All of these moments of humor, beauty, sadness, and suspense, are perfectly smoothed and balanced into one streamlined experience; everything belongs (even the fictional and non-fictional fits together). It would have been easy to treat Lincoln with too much reverence, but Ford and screenwriter Lamar Trotti find a middle place for him, comfortable dealing with the uneducated and simple folks as well as those in positions of power. He comes across as a complex and appealingly human character, suffering regular pains and making regular decisions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's violent acts. What led to the fight? What parts did drinking and bullying play?
Is this Abraham Lincoln a good role model? What are his good traits? Does he show any bad traits?
Many characters drink alcohol in this movie, and some other characters do not drink at all. What is the attitude toward alcohol and drinking? Is it accepted? Is it frowned upon? Does it have anything to do with social standing?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 9, 1939
- On DVD or streaming: February 14, 2006
- Cast: Alice Brady , Henry Fonda , Marjorie Weaver
- Director: John Ford
- Studio: Criterion Collection
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Courage , Integrity
- Run time: 100 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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