Historical Accuracy of Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln

Steven Spielberg's 2012 historical drama, Lincoln, has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of one of America's most iconic presidents. However, like any work of fiction, it contains inaccuracies. In this article, we explore the inaccuracies in Spielberg's Lincoln, examining why they may have occurred and how they impact the overall accuracy of the portrayal.

The Big Inaccuracies

Spielberg's film casts a spotlight on President Abraham Lincoln's efforts to pass the Thirteenth Amendment and end slavery in the United States. While the movie is largely accurate, some of its depictions of historical events and figures run counter to the realities of the era. One of the most significant inaccuracies is the portrayal of the abolition of slavery as a result of the actions of a single white father figure. In reality, the end of slavery was a result of a multitude of factors, including mass actions by slaves, abolitionists, and black and white soldiers.

This tendency to prioritize the white hero narrative over the broader, more complex historical reality is not unique to Lincoln. In Amistad, Spielberg focused on the white president and his role in freeing the slaves, rather than addressing the agency of the slaves themselves. Similarly, in Schindler's List, the protagonist was a rescuer rather than focusing on the suffering and resilience of the Jewish victims.

Minor Inaccuracies

While the film's portrayal of the abolition of slavery may be broad, the overall accuracy of Lincoln is commendable. The movie offers a good sense of the times and Lincoln as a man willing to make deals and exert his will to achieve his goals. Some dramatizations, such as the young black soldier's attitude toward the President, might not have happened exactly as depicted, but they served to provide a sense of reality in the narrative. The portrayal of the final vote in Congress was also not as suspenseful and close as depicted, but it was not meant to be a documentary; it was a work of historical fiction.

Historical Blooper List

According to Lincoln biographer Harold Holzer, the film contains a few historical inaccuracies. Some of these inaccuracies are minor and more about drama than fact. For instance:

Mary Todd Lincoln watching the final voting from the House gallery, which would not have been possible due to security regulations. The idea that soldiers and civilians had memorized the Gettysburg Address, which is unlikely given the time period. The fifty-cent piece did not bear Lincoln's face at the time, and such a small child would not have handled glass negatives from photographer Alexander Gardner. Lincoln pulling his written speech from the lining of his hat and keeping a portrait of William Henry Harrison in his office, both highly improbable.

These inaccuracies are not damaging to the overall accuracy of the story. They are minor issues that would only be noticed by scholars or historians. For example, congressmen voting by state delegations in the film was a dramatization of the voting process, as they actually voted alphabetically by name. Another example is the portrayal of young Tad Lincoln with glass negatives, which would have been far too fragile to play with.

Subtle but Critical Changes

While many of the inaccuracies are minor, a few are more significant and cannot be entirely attributed to dramatic license. For instance, Thaddeus Stephens's relationship with his African American housekeeper is not definitively proven to have been romantic, but there is enough evidence to suggest a close and possibly romantic bond. Additionally, while the "backroom deals" portrayed in the movie are likely accurate, they remain secret, so precise details remain unknown. Finally, much of the dialogue in the film is fictional, resulting from the need to fill in gaps in historical records where transcripts of conversations are not available.

Conclusion

While Lincoln cannot be considered 100 percent accurate in every detail, it provides an overall accurate portrayal of the events and individuals involved. Daniel Day-Lewis's Lincoln has been acclaimed for his candid portrayal of the president, including his unexpectedly high and somewhat reedy voice, which is a hallmark of Lincoln's contemporaries' descriptions. The film's depth in portraying Lincoln as a skilled politician willing to make difficult decisions for the greater good is one of its greatest triumphs.

In summary, Lincoln offers a mix of historical accuracy and dramatic license. It is a nuanced and multifaceted portrayal that, while not entirely factual, captures the essence of the historical period and the character of Abraham Lincoln.