Lincoln On Democracy - Lincoln (2012)

A short clip from the 2012 film Lincoln where president Lincoln talks about democracy.

[bertmustin]

Abraham Lincoln is amazing playing himself in this movie.

[Krebssssssss]

Interesting fact: before the war, Alexander Stephens and Lincoln were actually pretty good friends in the House of Representatives. They got along with each other very well and respected each other. This must’ve been a very bittersweet moment for the both of them.

[deadpool]

“Did you defeat us with ballots?”
Lincoln: “Yes actually, even after your states refused to put my name on the ballots.”

[Ares]

"Did you defeat us with ballots?"

"Why, yes. A little over four years ago,  as a matter of fact."

[zachone]

“I’m not locked in here with you, you’re locked in here with me”

[JustSomeCanadianGuy]

It's weird to think that 10 years before this scene Jackie Earle Haley was delivering pizzas and couldn't get work as an actor.


And here he is facing down Daniel Day Lewis in a Spielberg movie.

[joshuawells]

“Democracy is the worst form of government, except for everything else we have tried at this point.” -Winston Churchill

[seansense]

Lewis' performance in this role was absolutely masterful. I don't think there has ever been a better actor in cinema.

[neilpemberton]

Lincoln uses Stephens' first name, signifying their personal friendship which started when both were Whigs serving in Congress from 47 to 49.

[frankdodd]

I love the grey treatment of the Civil War that Spielberg shoots in Lincoln. He shows Lincoln as a pure politician, who has a pure belief about slavery. He wants it to end, but wants the Union preserved above all. Once it looks like the Union will win, slavery becomes a real priority. Lincoln comes across in this film as a real, pragmatic person. I was actually surprised. I love when he builds the political base and says "Slavery, sir? It's done.". It's over, politically. It's a dead issue. People know it's wrong. And the Confederacy is done with it, having handcuffed themselves to it. But Spielberg gives them the space for their argument too. A good film, truly. And Abe doesn't come out unscathed.

[trilumn]

This is a great portrayal of Lincoln. Lincoln was the right man for the job. If any other man had been president, I don't think things would've turned out as well as they did. He may not have been a perfect man, he had his faults, he made his mistakes, as do we all. In the end, though, he was the right man for the job.

[wilhelmhesse]

Daniel Day Lewis probably the best character actor of all time.

[MichaelLee-ttgm]

Seward's face is eloquent throughout the scene; for all of Lincoln's composure, Seward senses a terrible fragility in him, knowing how tormented Lincoln has been over the last four years, presiding over the deliberate killing of Americans by other Americans. When Stephens says, "your Union, sir, is bonded in cannonfire and death, " Seward is afraid Lincoln is close to breaking down.

[mikesumner]

Do not let this district you from the fact that Mr. Lincoln was a vampire hunter.

[AbrahamLincoln]

The actor for Stephens literally looks like him.

[Trishula]

Slavery sir, it’s done. Lol bad ass line

[romilrh]

Stephens: "I'm not locked in here with you. YOU'RE LOCKED IN HERE WITH ME"
Lincoln: "I. DRINK. YOUR. *MILKSHAKE* "

[mtlmann]

Best scene (one of many of course ) Lincoln's parting words" shall we stop this bleeding " The power of civility, dialogue and truth. One can never get enough of that.

[richardhn]

In this scene, anyway, Lincoln turned on its head that Confederate complaint about the cost of lives to save the Union. He said that such an immense sacrifice would actually prove its great worth, to preserve democracy.

[stryder]

Jackie Earle Haley as Alexander Stephens was very good. His Georgian accent was wonderful. Stephens had a brilliant mind although he was sickly his whole life. He later became governor of Georgia.