evocative idealized portrait early life lincolnborn  hodgensvillekentucky died washington  fords excellent movie takes abraham lincolnfonda youth studied laws common law began practice lawyer this hollywood biography follows lincoln logcabin days initial relationship mary toddweaver following couple first balland departure congress candidate focuses mainly brothersrichard cromwelleddie quillan accused murder posterior trial amusing court debate scenes protection mumalice brady lincolnfonda defender advocate donald meekprosecutor nothing short brilliantbr br excellent performance henry fonda idealistictraveller springfield solicitor  star regularly ford movie grapes wrathmy darling clementine fort apache besides sterling acting alice brady grieved mother great actress silent cinema one results last movie early died cancerthe lincolns deeds developing make skilfully appealing entertaininghis portrayal shows nostalgic longing things past old values describes goodnessuprightness willful lincoln like john ford straightforward man never varied ideals youththis american masterpiece correct counts splendid biography magnificent dramabr br another biographies abraham lincoln following  abraham lincoln dwgriffith walter huston una merkel talking birth assassination  abe lincoln illinoisby john cromwell raymond massey ruth gordon concerning similar events fords film career lawyer tv version titled gore vidals lincoln sam waterston mary tyler moore mary todd