Young Mr. Lincoln

"Young Mr. Lincoln" begins with a legendary question addressed on a card: "If Nancy Hanks returned as a ghost seeking tidings of what she valued most, she would first ask, Where is my son? What has become of Abe? What did he do?"

The story starts in 1832 in Illinois, New Salem, with the introduction of Abe Lincoln as a contender for the assembly. Lincoln's speech to the crowd is short and straightforward. He supports "a national bank, an internal reform program, and a strong protective tariff." Lincoln is a guy who is capable of doing everything he puts his mind to. Soon later, in some seclusion by the river, he reads a life-changing book and convinces himself (and the viewers) of the need to safeguard fundamental rights.

"Young Mr. Lincoln" was regarded as one of the most significant films of the decade by both the Soviet filmmaker Eisenstein and the French journalist of Cahiers des Cinema, owing to the confluence of its philosophy and style. It receives many accolades thanks to superb acting and realistic yet intriguing plot lines.

Year of Release: 1939

Stars: Henry Fonda, Alice Brady

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%