Young Mr. Lincoln

Release Date: 1939-06-09

Rating: ⭐ 7.2/10 (178 votes)

Genres: Drama, History

Overview: In this dramatized account of his early law career in Illinois, Abraham Lincoln is born into a modest log cabin, where he is encouraged by his first love, Ann Rutledge, to pursue law. Following her tragic death, Lincoln establishes a law practice in Springfield, where he meets a young Mary Todd. Lincoln's law skills are put to the test when he takes on the difficult task of defending two brothers who have been accused of murder.

Production: 20th Century Fox, Cosmopolitan Productions

🎭 Top Cast

Henry Fonda

as Abraham Lincoln

Alice Brady

as Abigail Clay

Marjorie Weaver

as Mary Todd

Arleen Whelan

as Sarah Clay

Eddie Collins

as Efe Turner

Pauline Moore

as Ann Rutledge

📝 User Reviews

CinemaSerf

⭐ 7/10

Jun 22, 2022

A gentle biopic of the early life and career that established Abraham Lincoln on the road to his place in US history. Henry Fonda plays the naive and deeply principled country lawyer in an engaging, if at times slightly ponderous, fashion - aided well by Marjorie Weaver ("Mary Todd"). His eloquence prevents a lynching and he embarks on his first big legal case in Illinois. John Ford starts this retrospective with a gripping, frequently amusing, court case and what follows emphasises the wit, style and incisive honesty of Lincoln. Spencer Charters ("Judge Bell"); Ward Bond and a typically charismatic performance from Donald Meek as the prosecuting counsel keep this drama interesting. The production is simple, but not basic - and well worth a watch as a drama (not an historical documentary).

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