Abraham Lincoln Expert Gives Spielberg's New Movie a Thumbs Up
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: November 13, 2012
BLOOMINGTON--An Illinois Wesleyan University Professor got a sneak peak of the new movie "Lincoln," prior to its release in theatres this Friday.
Dr. Robert Bray is a noted Lincoln author, having written two plays and a book about him.
He says for the most part, the movie paints an accurate picture of our 16th president.
He applauds Daniel Day-Lewis for picking up on Lincoln's persona as a mild but firm leader set in his political ways.
The movie opens during the last four months of Lincoln's life.
It's a choice Bray says lets the audience hone in on the president's mission to end slavery.
"Spielberg is able to give the movie a focus and an intensity that would be lost in a typical biopic," said Bray. "Cradle to grave sort of thing. This is Lincoln tested at his utmost on the eve of winning the war."
Dr. Bray does question some character choices in the film-at one point Lincoln shows a physically aggressive side, something he says the president didn't really have.
Dr. Robert Bray is a noted Lincoln author, having written two plays and a book about him.
He says for the most part, the movie paints an accurate picture of our 16th president.
He applauds Daniel Day-Lewis for picking up on Lincoln's persona as a mild but firm leader set in his political ways.
The movie opens during the last four months of Lincoln's life.
It's a choice Bray says lets the audience hone in on the president's mission to end slavery.
"Spielberg is able to give the movie a focus and an intensity that would be lost in a typical biopic," said Bray. "Cradle to grave sort of thing. This is Lincoln tested at his utmost on the eve of winning the war."
Dr. Bray does question some character choices in the film-at one point Lincoln shows a physically aggressive side, something he says the president didn't really have.
