Killing Lincoln

[wsanto]

Erik,

...I just gave up my devotion to Johnny Depp as Booth...

Funny; I had hoped for Depp to play Booth in Spielberg's film. That was prior to learning the procedural nature of "Lincoln" in primarily dealing with passage of the 13th Amendment and subsequently learning that Booth would not be cast at all.

Most folks on the IMDB board for "Lincoln" felt Depp was too old to play Booth but I felt he could have pulled it off. Just seems like a superstar casting of Booth, in a film like that, would benefit an audience trying to appreciate the scale of Booth's charisma and its effect on those around him. But alas, it was not to be.

Although, I must admit, this film, as a docudrama, has found a more realistic casting of Booth with an actor that better fits his age. And it appears to me they hit a home run. The only thing that bothers me slightly is the thinness of his voice. It doesn't quite live up to the bravado that I imagine. That said, the charisma and gestures and overall dramatics certainly do a lot of justice to the character in my mind.

[J. Beckert]

I don't know if Booth had the deep baritone that has been so often assigned to him in portrayals. His voice was said to be very similar to Edwin's and after listening to the 1890's recording of EB, I don't think Johnson is too far off the mark. I really think he did his homework with this part, but then again, we'll never really know.

[John E.]

If you haven't seen Jesse Johnson interviewed on the NatGeo site, be sure to take a look. It's nice to see an actor so dedicated to getting his role down. -- Erik set the tone with this one and it looks like it carried over to the rest of the cast and crew.

Booth seemed to have a habit of being overly dramatic in his presentation off the stage and from the trailer, it looks like Johnson nailed it.

I'm sure everyone here knows that he's Don Johnson's son right ? Yes, the same Miami Vice, Django Unchained, Don Johnson.

[Laurie Verge]

What impressed me with the clip of Booth's rant was that it portrayed the depth of Booth's hatred for Lincoln and love of what had been his former country with a sense of a slow boil instead of the rantings and ravings of what one would assume a political fanatic would show.

[BettyO]

Indeed - Jesse takes this right; showing that JWB was not a ranting, rabid madman - it's a more methodical approach and it works spectacularly!

I also love the Lincoln Dream sequence one as well; very surreal and the casket is identical to the real one! Great shots!

[Loomings]

This is a 30 second trailer for TV that will start airing shortly. There is also a long form trailer in theaters now. Someone got the jump and posted it on youtube. The pic quality is not good, but it DOES begin with Jesse Johnson at his finest -- at Taltavul's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UcLoASmEi0

It means the world to me that you here are pleased with our film.

And...I would encourage you all - if you're so inclined - to do what you can to promote what we've all collaborated to create. I ask for one reason and one reason alone: There is a perception in Hollywood that one can play fast and loose with historical fact. That the viewing public APPRECIATES reliable storytelling, that there is a premium on getting things RIGHT (or at least bending every effort) is a message that the entertainment industry will hear with the success of our film.

I know you haven't seen anything but clips and fancified trailers, but if you are so inclined to get the word out, it would be grand.

On behalf of EVERYONE who cares about responsible storytelling...

Thank you,

E

[wsanto]

I love how he startles the two men as his rant intensifies.

I always liked Rob Morrow's portrayal of Booth. He was able to put on the Southern charm and dramatics but he never really convinced me of his hatred for Lincoln the way Johnson does so well in this short clip.

[BettyO]

It means the world to me that you here are pleased with our film.

And...I would encourage you all - if you're so inclined - to do what you can to promote what we've all collaborated to create. I ask for one reason and one reason alone: There is a perception in Hollywood that one can play fast and loose with historical fact. That the viewing public APPRECIATES reliable storytelling, that there is a premium on getting things RIGHT (or at least bending every effort) is a message that the entertainment industry will hear with the success of our film.

I know you haven't seen anything but clips and fancified trailers, but if you are so inclined to get the word out, it would be grand.

On behalf of EVERYONE who cares about responsible storytelling...

Thank you,

I have told everyone about this film -- it's definitely a MUST SEE !
It is one of the most conscientious renditions of the assassination story that I've ever had the pleasure to see filmed. Thank YOU and Adrian, Erik for bringing us this and being concerned with such attention to detail!

[Laurie Verge]

Who do we contact to get information on selling the DVD in the Surratt gift shop?

[MaddieM]

Erik,

...I just gave up my devotion to Johnny Depp as Booth...

Funny; I had hoped for Depp to play Booth in Spielberg's film. That was prior to learning the procedural nature of "Lincoln" in primarily dealing with passage of the 13th Amendment and subsequently learning that Booth would not be cast at all.

Most folks on the IMDB board for "Lincoln" felt Depp was too old to play Booth but I felt he could have pulled it off. Just seems like a superstar casting of Booth, in a film like that, would benefit an audience trying to appreciate the scale of Booth's charisma and its effect on those around him. But alas, it was not to be.

Although, I must admit, this film, as a docudrama, has found a more realistic casting of Booth with an actor that better fits his age. And it appears to me they hit a home run. The only thing that bothers me slightly is the thinness of his voice. It doesn't quite live up to the bravado that I imagine. That said, the charisma and gestures and overall dramatics certainly do a lot of justice to the character in my mind.

I'm really glad that they have not used someone as famous as Johnny Depp.

Tom Cruise as Abraham Lincoln? Now that would be a hoot.

---

It means the world to me that you here are pleased with our film.

And...I would encourage you all - if you're so inclined - to do what you can to promote what we've all collaborated to create. I ask for one reason and one reason alone: There is a perception in Hollywood that one can play fast and loose with historical fact. That the viewing public APPRECIATES reliable storytelling, that there is a premium on getting things RIGHT (or at least bending every effort) is a message that the entertainment industry will hear with the success of our film.

I know you haven't seen anything but clips and fancified trailers, but if you are so inclined to get the word out, it would be grand.

On behalf of EVERYONE who cares about responsible storytelling...

Thank you,

I have told everyone about this film -- it's definitely a MUST SEE !
It is one of the most conscientious renditions of the assassination story that I've ever had the pleasure to see filmed. Thank YOU and Adrian, Erik for bringing us this and being concerned with such attention to detail!

I can't wait to see it. Though Booth is looking a bit on the sexy side....which is disturbing....

[wsanto]

I'm really glad that they have not used someone as famous as Johnny Depp.

Agreed. He would not have fit well in this movie.

[BettyO]

I think Jesse Johnson does a WONDERFUL job here as JWB. He has researched his character and is a marvelous actor as well. He can ride and handle his horse like a pro.

He looks and acts the part with wonderful believability - I don't think that a better Booth could have been cast and feel that Depp could not have given life to JWB as Johnson has - he's grand!

[MaddieM]

[attachment=71]

I think Jesse Johnson does a WONDERFUL job here as JWB. He has researched his character and is a marvelous actor as well. He can ride and handle his horse like a pro.

He looks and acts the part with wonderful believability - I don't think that a better Booth could have been cast and feel that Depp could not have given life to JWB as Johnson has - he's grand!

It would be ridiculous to cast someone twice the age of the person being depicted. And vice versa. One of the hugest clangers in movie casting was to put Depp in the role of J M Barrie.

[BettyO]

Love the video that Erik put up yesterday as well with Booth, Herold and Powell that begins with JWB and Powell at the Shooting Gallery and ends on April 11 with JWB chiding Powell to shoot Lincoln -

Really well done - Josh Murray makes an excellent Powell as well! Proper age specific, height - looks grand!





Josh as Lewis Powell

[Laurie Verge]

Just for the record (and to show my age), I have been clamoring for Depp to portray JWB for at least 25 years. Therefore, if the movie people had paid attention to me and done the assassination story years ago, Depp would have been the right age. And frankly, the "old man" still looks pretty darn good in his Pirates gear as a young man... Sorry, but old crushes die hard