History and Culture by Bicycle: 2012

Daniel Day Lewis portray historical figures very well. Whether it is as Abraham Lincoln demanding and commanding his cabinet members to obtain votes for the for the 13th Amendment to pass, or as a brutal and vicious gang leader in the movie Gangs of New York his specialty seems to be historic dramas.

Lewis is classified as such because he immerses himself into the role. He takes on the persona of the person he is portraying by studying who the person was and what they were about.

In both Lincoln and Gangs of New York Lewis is a leader. Whether he is leading a country through the Civil War or a rival gang on the streets of New York he takes on the burden of leadership with style and grace. In Gangs of New York he teaches young Vallon how to injure and kill a man with a knife as the weapon of choice by using a pig carcass. In the film Lincoln he shows a commanding presence when he orders his cabinet members to procure the votes so the proposed amendment will pass. In either role there is no doubt he is a leader. He does not pull any punches and is not elusive about his leadership style in either film.

While Daniel Day Lewis has been several films his role as leader in historic dramas seem to be his best fit because he is such a natural at it.

Daniel Day Lewis has acted in both true historical dramas such as Lincoln and not so true historic dramas such as Gangs of New York.

Previous articles in series:
Historically accurate? Gladiator.
Historically accurate? To Kill a Mockingbird
Historically accurate? Lincoln

In the 2012 movie, Lincoln, there are many scenes where sound helps emphasize the meaning and nature of the scene. There is the dialogue which is very important in a historical drama such as this. Much of the dialogue is without music or other sound effects heard as part of the scene because of the importance of this film.

One scene that really stands out and brings dialogue together with music is where the Speaker of the House reads the results of the vote on the 13th Amendment. First all you hear is his voice through the beginning of the scene. All eyes are on him in the house chamber as he speaks. The scene cuts to President Lincoln pacing about in his study in the White House. Then the sound of bells chiming are heard, right after that the sounds loud cheering are heard and the scene changes to the inside of the house chamber where most of the delegates are cheering. Then all of a sudden they start singing the song, "Battle Cry of Freedom".

Thaddeus Stevens asks for the original copy of the bill, folds it with a creased and walks out of the capitol building. Outside the song "Battle Cry of Freedom" and cheering is still heard, even as Thaddeus walks home. As he opens his door and enters the song and cheering are still heard in the back ground.

The impact of this song had on the scene and the movie are very important as the song is about freedom and is used in the scene of the movie where all slaves were officially declared free by the law makers of the United States. There is no doubt as to the genre of this film. It is certainly a historical drama. The effect of the cheering and the song "Battle Cry of Freedom may be that it makes someone feel swelled up with pride and give them a sense of patriotic euphoria. It was a happy event in united States history. Had the song not been used and no other patriotic song put in its place the scene may have been largely forgotten and the emphasis of the meaning behind the song along with where and how it is used in the film would have been lost and not as strong.

This film is historically accurate through most of the movie. There are a few discrepancies and embellishments included for more dramatic effect. But overall this was an actual event that occurred in United States history.

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc

Previous articles in series:
Historically accurate? Gladiator.
Historically accurate? To Kill a Mockingbird