Many Americans will be watching the Academy Awards on Sunday, February 24th. The movie, Lincoln, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, has received 12 Oscar nominations. The film highlights the important moments in the presidency of Abraham Lincoln: his great leadership during the Civil War and the decisive moment in history when he reads the Emancipation Proclamation. We also see Lincoln as a family man and as a great philosopher. In the film, we witness one of the most tragic moments in the life of President Lincoln: his assassination at Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth.
Daniel Day-Lewis, who starred in the leading role of Lincoln, and Sally Field, who starred as Mary Todd Lincoln, both gave superb performances. This movie achieved what other films about Lincoln have never achieved, capturing the true essence and humanity of a great leader.
Like Steven Spielberg, Gutzon Borglum, a renowned sculptor, the artist who carved the presidents’ heads on Mount Rushmore, created a statue of Lincoln capturing the likeness and mirror image of our 16th president similar to the character of Lincoln that we see in the movie. The sculpture, which was unveiled in 1911, stands at the Essex County Courthouse in Newark, New Jersey. In this masterpiece, made of bronze, Lincoln sits at a bench and has an expression of great intelligence and integrity.
The movie Lincoln has inspired us and will continue to inspire many generations to come just as the seated Lincoln statue in Newark will continue to fascinate Newarkers, commuters and visitors.
Comments