Monday, February 9, 2009

Big Day for Abe Lincoln Coming Up!


In honor of the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth on February 12th of this year, there are several Lincoln-oriented docs set to air in the next week or so.

First up tonight should be a good one on PBS' American Experience -- The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, starting at 9pm. I love Abraham Lincoln, but I also am completely fascinated by John Wilkes Booth, a misguided soul if ever there was one. Neither a lunatic nor a fool, Booth was probably a racist, though, and this more than anything might have played a huge part in his obsession to eliminate Lincoln.

A truly great dramatic account of the tragic juxtaposition of these two men has yet to be produced, and perhaps will never be. But a great documentary can elucidate the circumstances, and I'm hoping tonight's production will add another level of understanding to this nation-rending event that surely changed the course of American history in ways we cannot underestimate.

PBS has a good website for tonight's program, completely with a transcript. It looks like you can watch it online, too, so if you miss it tonight you haven't really missed it at all! Highly recommended!

3 comments:

Dean Treadway said...

The assassination doc looks good. American Experience never fails to impress. Was wondering, Lisa...what are your thoughts on the Speilberg movie LINCOLN coming up, I think, at the end of the year? Liam Neeson and Sally Field? Could be good!

Anonymous said...

Lisa, there was a Lincoln theme crossword puzzle in the Sunday New York Times magazine section. I thought of you.

Lisa said...

In terms of a good neurotic Mary Todd, Field might do it. Liam should be wonderful, of course. I did just read that it might be filmed/finished for end of 2009 release...it would be great. Nobody's quite ever gotten the perfect unique appeal of Lincoln right, and of course nobody's ever gotten Booth right. Lincoln deserves a quality Spielberg treatment!
Amy, I'm going to have to try to rustle up a copy of that crossword! Sounds like fun!