Abe Lincoln in Illinois

Released Feb 12, 1940

1h 50m

Biography

List

75%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

In the early 1830s, a youthful Abraham Lincoln (Raymond Massey) departs his home in Kentucky to study law and make a name for himself. While traveling to New Orleans to deliver several pigs he raised with his father, Abe meets Ann Rutledge (Ruth Gordon) in the sleepy hamlet of New Salem, Illinois. Abe returns to the town, starts a business and marries Ann before slowly working his way toward politics and the fateful future that will see him become one of America's most iconic presidents.

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

If you want attitudes, a five-gallon hat, famous incidents, and One Nation Indivisible, they're all here. As a picture and as a whole, it just doesn't stick.

May 7, 2024

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

May 26, 2005

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

If Young Mr. Lincoln, starring Henry Fonda, offers a smoother ride from first frame to last, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, released approximately 10 months later, offers a greater number of individual scenes that serve to energize and inspire.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 17, 2022

Full Review

John Kinloch

California Eagle

The most distinguished motion picture of the year.

Oct 29, 2019

Full Review

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Fine characterization of Lincoln by Raymond Massey with strong period look and feel.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 1, 2008

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A serviceable biopic.

Rated: B

Jul 5, 2006

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Christopher B

It's like being teleported to those days. Watching this; I was actually happy for the evening. The ending was happy/sad..... kinda like the end of Forrest Gump.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/09/23

Full Review

steve d

It all hinges on Raymond Massey, and he is fantastic.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Frances H

Raymond Massey has his best role in this classic film for which he was nominated for an Oscar for best actor, which was well deserved. A wonderful cast makes this a definitive Lincoln film biography.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/20/20

Full Review

Audience Member

The best inspiring movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Setting aside the obligatory acting and contrivance problems of the time, it's very good. It paints a compelling portrait of an interesting and admirable historical figure, and I like the choice to just look at the time in Illinois and end as he is heading to Washington. The unvarnished portrait of turbo-bitch Mary Todd is fascinating and adds to the credibility of the whole thing. 7.8 out of 10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

ashley h

Abe Lincoln in Illinois is an incredible film. It is about humble Abraham Lincoln who gains the respect of his Illinois neighbors, growing in stature and respect until he is elected President in 1860. Raymond Massey and Gene Lockhart give amazing performances. The screenplay is well written. John Cromwell did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama and history.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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John Cromwell

Director

Raymond Massey

Abe Lincoln

Gene Lockhart

Stephen Douglas

Ruth Gordon

Mary Todd Lincoln

Mary Howard

Ann Rutledge

Minor Watson

Joshua Speed

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Synopsis

In the early 1830s, a youthful Abraham Lincoln (Raymond Massey) departs his home in Kentucky to study law and make a name for himself. While traveling to New Orleans to deliver several pigs he raised with his father, Abe meets Ann Rutledge (Ruth Gordon) in the sleepy hamlet of New Salem, Illinois. Abe returns to the town, starts a business and marries Ann before slowly working his way toward politics and the fateful future that will see him become one of America's most iconic presidents.

Director: John Cromwell
Screenwriter: Grover Jones, Robert E. Sherwood
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: RKO Pictures
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 12, 1940, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 22, 2009
Runtime: 1h 50m

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