Killing Lincoln

The 2013 American television historical film directed by Adrian Moat, based on the book by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard, is a political docudrama that delves into the final days of the 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and his assassination. Premiered on the National Geographic Channel on February 17, 2013, the film features Billy Campbell as President Lincoln and Jesse Johnson as John Wilkes Booth, the actor and fervent Confederate sympathizer who orchestrated the plot to kill the president. The narrative meticulously reconstructs the events leading up to April 14, 1865, when Lincoln was fatally shot at Ford's Theatre, and the subsequent manhunt for Booth. The story is narrated and hosted by Tom Hanks, whose commentary adds depth and emotional resonance to the documentary drama. Produced by Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Christopher G. Cowen, and others, the film became one of National Geographic's highest-rated telecasts, attracting approximately 3.4 million viewers. It received positive reviews for its historical accuracy, compelling performances, and suspenseful atmosphere, offering viewers a profound understanding of the significance of these events in American history.