Good documentary on one of history's greatest pieces of oratory

grantss

A documentary on Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Covers not only the speech and the writing of it, but the effects of it, and the broader communications revolution that Lincoln was involved in - the use of the telegraph to control armies.

The Gettysburg Address is a piece of oratory well worth a documentary.

It was a 3-minute 272-word speech that encapsulated the Civil War and it's purpose. Seemingly low-key at the time, it is stunning in its clever use of language and in its effect.

This documentary captures well Lincolns's preparation for the speech, the speech itself and its effect.

However, the rest of the documentary is largely unnecessary and feels like padding. The segment on the telegraph is often filled with empty hyperbole by the narrator and experts, and basically feels overstated and unconnected to the Gettysburg Address.

score 7/10

grantss 30 May 2017

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3719449/