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Abe Lincoln in Illinois

Play trailer Poster for Abe Lincoln in Illinois Released Feb 12, 1940 1h 50m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
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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Abe Lincoln in Illinois

Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review Audience Member A simple tale of Honest Abe Lincoln, with a well cast Canadian as the lead. Massey's performance is excellent as he had already played the part in the Broadway play this biopic was based on. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Abe Lincoln in Illinois

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Cast & Crew

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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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Abe Lincoln in Illinois

Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940) Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Producer
Max Gordon
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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