Killing Lincoln (film)
Killing Lincoln | |
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Film poster
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Genre | Docudrama Biography |
Based on | Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly |
Developed by | Tony Scott |
Written by | Erik Jendresen |
Directed by | Adrian Moat |
Presented by | Tom Hanks |
Starring | Billy Campbell Jesse Johnson |
Composer(s) | David Buckley |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) | Mark Herzog Erik Jendresen Bill O'Reilly Mary Lisio Teri Weinberg David W. Zucker |
Producer(s) | Ridley Scott Tony Scott Christopher G. Cowen |
Cinematography | Jeremy Benning |
Running time | 90 minutes |
Production company(s) | Scott Free Productions Herzog & Company |
Release | |
Original network | National Geographic Channel |
Original release | February 17, 2013 |
External links | |
Website |
Killing Lincoln is an American television film inspired by the 2011 novel of the same name by Bill O'Reilly. The two-hour political docudrama was originally broadcast on National Geographic Channel on February 17, 2013. Narrated and hosted by American actor Tom Hanks, the film stars Billy Campbell as United States President Abraham Lincoln and Jesse Johnson as John Wilkes Booth. It was written and executive produced by Erik Jendresen (Band of Brothers), directed by Adrian Moat (Gettysburg), produced by Chris Cowen, Mark Herzog, Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Mary Lisio, David Zucker, and Terri Weinberg.
The docudrama was aired in memorial tribute to producer Tony Scott, who was developing the film at the time of his death. The program averaged 3.4 million viewers, scoring about 1 million viewers in the 25–54 demographic. This is currently National Geographic's highest-rated television airing surpassing Inside 9/11, which drew 3 million in August 2005.[1]
Killing Lincoln was made available on Blu-ray Disc on June 11, 2013. It features commentary by Erik Jendresen, an interview with Bill O'Reilly, and multiple behind-the-scenes featurettes.[2]
Contents
Development
In January 2012, it was announced that Bill O'Reilly will be executive producing a two-hour documentary for National Geographic Channel inspired by his New York Times best selling novel Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever.[3] In addition, filmmaking brothers Tony and Ridley Scott became attached to the project as producers.[4]
Principal photography began in July 16, 2012, in Richmond, Virginia.[5] It was at this time in which actor Billy Campbell was announced to play President Abraham Lincoln.[6] On August 19, 2012, producer Tony Scott committed suicide.[7] The film was dedicated in his memory.[8]
On September 13, 2012, Tom Hanks was announced as the film's "host, narrator and historical commentator".[9]
Cast
- Billy Campbell as Abraham Lincoln
- Jesse Johnson as John Wilkes Booth
- Geraldine Hughes as Mary Todd Lincoln
- Kam Dabrowski as James R. Tanner
- Brett Dalton as Robert Todd Lincoln
- Graham Beckel as Edwin Stanton
- Eleanor Perkinson as Clara Harris
- Todd Fletcher as Edman Spangler
- Shawn Pyfrom as Pvt. John W. Nichols
- Johnathan Tchaikovsky as Crawford
- Matt Hackman as Charles Leale
- Myke Holmes as Dr. F.A. King
- Vince Nappo as Harry Hawk
- Lance Lemon as William Bell
- Ed Easterling as Chief Justice David Kellogg Cartter
Reception
Ratings
Killing Lincoln aired on February 17, 2013, on National Geographic Channel, setting records for the cable network. The network's first factual drama project, Killing Lincoln's 3.4 million viewers[10] was NGC's single highest telecast viewership since its launch in late 1997, only to be beat by 3000 viewers by Killing Kennedy on November 10, 2013. The viewership was especially high for individual broadcasts, with a 175 percent increase from typical broadcasts in that time slot.[11]
Critical response
The television film received mixed to positive feedback from critics. Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, reports the film with a score of 57 based on 15 reviews.[12]
References
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External links
- Use mdy dates from May 2012
- 2010s drama films
- 2013 television films
- Abraham Lincoln in art
- American biographical films
- American films
- American drama films
- Biographical films about Abraham Lincoln
- Documentary television films
- English-language films
- Films about assassination
- Films about politicians
- Films based on non-fiction books
- Films based on works by Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)
- Films based on works by Martin Dugard (author)
- Films set in the 1860s
- Films shot in Virginia
- National Geographic Channel programs