Although the film starts with a short but gruesome battle scene most of the action takes place in the debating chambers of Washington in January 1865. President Lincoln is faced with a dilemma: should he end the Civil War with a compromise with the Confederates or should he try to persuade the House of Representatives to enact the 13th Amendment to the constitution (the abolition of slavery)? The deals and legal obstacles are probably too obscure for a non-American audience, but there are some nice touches as bribery and blackmail is used to secure votes. Daniel Day-Lewis gives an excellent performance, though a character summed up my feelings when he complained of yet another Lincoln anecdote. These were usually folksy but did include references to Shakespeare and Euclid. 4 stars.
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