In 19th-century America, civil war continues to rage between the Confederate south and the federal United States. Both sides grow tired of the war, but one issue keeps federal leader Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) from forming peace - the South's insistence on the use of slavery.
He's determined to force through an amendment to the constitution which would free thousands of slaves, but as more and more lives are sacrificed to the war, his proud position comes under scrutiny from all sides of the political spectrum, and his chances of creating history look slimmer with each month that passes.
Becoming the first male actor to win three Oscars for lead roles, Day-Lewis demonstrates the mastery of his art delivering lively, deliberate and weighty monologues that were destined to have the Academy in raptures.
In support, two other Hollywood heavyweights in Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones both impress, each receiving an Oscar nomination but beaten in a competitive year for red carpet hopefuls.
At the helm, Steven Spielberg too revels in moulding one of the great political tales into an epic motion picture which, despite history already supplying the ending, is an experience and education from start to finish.
Lincoln is a Film programme that first aired in 2012 and has been classified a 12 certificate.
