Killing Lincoln

[Josh M]

Hello All,

Wanted to drop a quick note on the thread, thanks to Roger and Betty for welcoming me to the forum. As Erik said there was tremendous effort and commitment to accuracy and authenticity. I can attest to his and Adrian's work on set and their passion for the story. I myself found Betty's work when studying Powell which was very fascinating and helpful in preparing, so was definitely delighted to hear she ended up getting involved. I've been blessed to have worked on a number of historical and period films (in Texas at the moment for a premiere right now actually where I play Col. George Washington) and have come across a great deal of feedback on such projects. I've heard from a lot of history buffs who are the proverbial blind men pointing out their particular piece of the elephant. I sometimes wonder if people realize there is technically no film that can satisfy all history buffs (perhaps a bit esoteric). Humans are intrinsically subjective and often have difficulty agreeing on perspectives on things that just happened, let alone through the telescope of hundreds of years. There are certainly films that don't make the effort to find out what is commonly agreed as the facts, but I'm looking forward to seeing Killing Lincoln with some of you and trust that people find it raises the bar!

Anyways I would be interested to hear people's thoughts on the topic of how opinions and disparate historical records factor in, specifically in the context of portraying them on film where you must make specific, singular choices (as opposed to a book where one can leave it as an exercise to the reader's imagination to deconflict).

[L Verge]

What an excellent post, Josh! I know we all wish the cast, producers, and crew of Killing Lincoln a very successful premiere showing on Monday night as well as the full premiere on Feb. 17 for a wide television audience. I was able to supply Erik with some facts and some experts along the way, so I am very excited to see the final product. The trailers are amazing. Tell Jesse that there is an old lady at the Surratt House Museum who has a crush on his brand of John Wilkes Booth!

[RJNorton]

For anyone who missed the photo of Josh as Lewis Powell....Betty posted a photo here.

Welcome, Josh, and thank you for a wonderful post. We are all looking forward to Killing Lincoln!

[MaddieM]

(02-08-2013 08:07 PM)Josh M Wrote:  Hello All,

Wanted to drop a quick note on the thread, thanks to Roger and Betty for welcoming me to the forum. As Erik said there was tremendous effort and commitment to accuracy and authenticity. I can attest to his and Adrian's work on set and their passion for the story. I myself found Betty's work when studying Powell which was very fascinating and helpful in preparing, so was definitely delighted to hear she ended up getting involved. I've been blessed to have worked on a number of historical and period films (in Texas at the moment for a premiere right now actually where I play Col. George Washington) and have come across a great deal of feedback on such projects. I've heard from a lot of history buffs who are the proverbial blind men pointing out their particular piece of the elephant. I sometimes wonder if people realize there is technically no film that can satisfy all history buffs (perhaps a bit esoteric). Humans are intrinsically subjective and often have difficulty agreeing on perspectives on things that just happened, let alone through the telescope of hundreds of years. There are certainly films that don't make the effort to find out what is commonly agreed as the facts, but I'm looking forward to seeing Killing Lincoln with some of you and trust that people find it raises the bar!

Anyways I would be interested to hear people's thoughts on the topic of how opinions and disparate historical records factor in, specifically in the context of portraying them on film where you must make specific, singular choices (as opposed to a book where one can leave it as an exercise to the reader's imagination to deconflict).

Hi Josh, welcome to the forum. I live in the UK, and can't wait to see your portrayal as Lewis.

[BettyO]

Thanks ever so very much for a WONDERFUL post, Josh! I, too can't wait to see the finished product and enjoying it with all of you -

From what I have seen - excellent and two thumbs up!

[MaddieM]

(02-08-2013 08:07 PM)Josh M Wrote:  Anyways I would be interested to hear people's thoughts on the topic of how opinions and disparate historical records factor in, specifically in the context of portraying them on film where you must make specific, singular choices (as opposed to a book where one can leave it as an exercise to the reader's imagination to deconflict).

I'm always a bit wary of history as portrayed in film. It's often twisted, manipulated, glamourised or sexed up, and seems to be what movie makers think the viewers want to see, rather than just being honest...or perhaps it's about number crunching. So it's really refreshing when you get to see something that gives you a 'warts and all' perspective and keeps to the truth. I don't there's any movie on earth that can have the same impact as one's own imagination when reading the pages of a book.

[LincolnMan]

Well said, Maddie.

[BettyO]

Heading out the door this AM to go up to Maryland and then to attend the Premiere of Killing Lincoln in DC tonight!

Am meeting and connecting with John Elliott as well as some other Surratt folk/Boothies and will give a full report with photos tomorrow!

Can't wait!

[wsanto]

(02-11-2013 08:14 AM)BettyO Wrote:  Heading out the door this AM to go up to Maryland and then to attend the Premiere of Killing Lincoln in DC tonight!

Am meeting and connecting with John Elliott as well as some other Surratt folk/Boothies and will give a full report with photos tomorrow!

Can't wait!

I can't wait to read everyone's reactions. I hope you all have a great time!

[jonathan]

(02-09-2013 07:24 PM)MaddieM Wrote:  

(02-08-2013 08:07 PM)Josh M Wrote:  Anyways I would be interested to hear people's thoughts on the topic of how opinions and disparate historical records factor in, specifically in the context of portraying them on film where you must make specific, singular choices (as opposed to a book where one can leave it as an exercise to the reader's imagination to deconflict).

I'm always a bit wary of history as portrayed in film. It's often twisted, manipulated, glamourised or sexed up, and seems to be what movie makers think the viewers want to see, rather than just being honest...or perhaps it's about number crunching. So it's really refreshing when you get to see something that gives you a 'warts and all' perspective and keeps to the truth. I don't there's any movie on earth that can have the same impact as one's own imagination when reading the pages of a book.

I feel like the problem is often an issue of laziness. Let's face it, the story of the Lincoln Assassination has plenty of excitement, plenty of things to hold the viewer's interest. It's a question of whether or not the filmmaker wants to invest the time and energy to do the job right. This is likely true of all historical events of any significance. As far as Hollywood is concerned, I imagine it's easier for them to just throw in a bunch of that boilerplate garbage because that's what they know best and they think that's the only way to make money. And the real story be damned. I understand that some amount of artistic license is virtually impossible to avoid, and I have no problem with that. But there is a line that is crossed too often I imagine, and in those cases the truth becomes buried and we all lose. I'm very happy to know that the people involved in this project were so concerned with getting it right, and I am reeeeeally looking forward to seeing it. I'm planning to post a couple of links on my Facebook for anybody there who might enjoy it. I don't want to do it too early, because I want people to be able to click the links and see that it's on in the next day or two, modern day attention spans being what they are. Picked up a copy of Anthony Pitch's They Have Killed Papa Dead, which I enjoyed thoroughly the first time I read it, and I'll go ahead and read it again this week so I'll be primed for Sunday night. Also, I saw my first Killing Lincoln commercial just a little while ago, on ESPN2 no less.

[Laurie Verge]

We had a bus of mainly foreign press corps at Surratt House this morning for nearly two hours. I got to meet Erik Jendresen face-to-face after corresponding with him for over a year. What a treat it was to hear his take on the assassination history as well incidents that occurred during the filming. If the cast and crew are as dedicated to accurate history as Erik, I think we will be pleasantly surprised. Erik showed me his schedule over the past few days, and he and members of the cast have been quite busy doing interviews, talk shows, etc. across the U.S.

Betty O and Lindsey are now on their way to Ft. McNair to meet up with Lewis Powell. They will be returning to Surratt House in time to change clothes and meet up with six members of my staff and volunteers to view Killing Lincoln tonight at National Geographic Headquarters. I am so upset that my legs won't let me go, but I'm expecting a full and satisfactory report.

[Dawn E Foster]

(02-11-2013 02:54 PM)Laurie Verge Wrote:  Betty O and Lindsey are now on their way to Ft. McNair to meet up with Lewis Powell. They will be returning to Surratt House in time to change clothes and meet up with six members of my staff and volunteers to view Killing Lincoln tonight at National Geographic Headquarters. I am so upset that my legs won't let me go, but I'm expecting a full and satisfactory report.

Oh Laurie, I am so sorry that you aren't able to go - that must be so frustrating! (and I can relate to that) And I would sure have loved to have your take on it all.

[BettyO]

All I can say is WOW, WOW, WOW !!!!

In ALL seriousness, I must say that viewing Killing Lincoln last night was a absolute treat - as it will be for ANY Lincoln Assassination buff. All those seated around me spoke enthusiastically about how absolutely grand this production is -


I wholeheartedly agree. For ONCE, a production has finally gotten the Lincoln Assassination down on film correctly! And I must also say that it was with the most pleasant and consciousness film crew I've ever had the distinct pleasure to work with! The attention to detail and historical accuracy is astounding. The fact of whether or not JWB broke his leg jumping onto the stage or from a fall from his skittish mare is discussed and left up to the viewer - little details of JWB placing his half-smoked cigar in Ford's box office is also shown - it is my impression that this is what MAKES for good history; the little details which are so vividly shown in this wonderful film. The date of the Herndon House meeting is given as APRIL 13, 1865 - again, also good attention to detail.

Also, it's nice to see a JWB who can ride a horse.

Powell's stabbing of Seward is absolutely chilling. We cut from JWB going into Ford's to Powell approaching the Old Club House. JWB's hand on the rail flashes to Powell's hand on the rail as he mounts the stairs against the wishes of William Bell. This is the first real production where Bell actually has a good role - again, something new and makes for an interesting perspective! I found myself whispering as Powell goes up the staircase, "Don't do it! Don't!"

The scene is absolutely horrific as Powell rampages throughout the house and then seemingly as he is going out the door seems to come to himself with a low keyed "I'm MAD!" as though he cannot believe what he has done. He walks slowly out of the house after attacking Hansell on the stairs as if in shock. Bell pursues him.

This is really good, good stuff! Congratulations to Erik Jendresen,Adrian Moat and Mark Hertzog for a job extremely well done!!

Cut to JWB at Ford's. He walks through the upper balcony, pauses at a seemingly engaged Parker, enthralled with watching the play and then peers into the hole in the door of the box. He braces the door.

We see Mary Lincoln grasp Lincoln's hand with "What will Miss Harris think of my holding on to you so?" Lincoln's smile as he softly says, "She won't think anything of it." And there, menacingly behind the loving couple stands Booth, deep in the shadows, derringer and knife at the ready.

Sets, costumes, everything, is wonderful! Mary Lincoln wears a bonnet in one scene which, if I were still doing Civil War reenacting, I would DIE for! The sets all have the proper period look - and the lighting and CGI backgrounds in certain scenes rivals Spielberg's in his own Lincoln.

All in all folks, this is an extremely impressive film!

I sat with John Elliott and Mike Kauffman. We agreed that this was the most impressive production we had ever seen filmed on the assassination.

I will attend the Richmond Premiere tonight and I'll fill in more tomorrow.


Please set yourself down next Sunday, February 17 and get ready for a treat such as you'd never expect in a film about the Assassination.

This is definitely one NOT to be missed!

Roger - wait until you see your NAME in the credits on the big screen!!

Photos to follow......

[RJNorton]

Betty, thank you for posting all the information! This is obviously a terrific production. Sunday night cannot come too soon!

[Linda Anderson]

The movie sounds wonderful, Betty! I can hardly wait to see how Powell's attack on Seward is handled.