Lincoln
In 1865, as the American Civil War winds inexorably toward conclusion, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln endeavors to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment which will forever ban slavery from the United States. However, his task is a race against time, for peace may come at any time, and if it comes before the amendment is passed, the returning southern states will stop it before it can become law. Lincoln must, by almost any means possible, obtain enough votes from a recalcitrant Congress before peace arrives and it is too late. Yet the president is torn, as an early peace would save thousands of lives. As the nation confronts its conscience over the freedom of its entire population, Lincoln faces his own crisis of conscience -- end slavery or end the war.
Despite a mid-range budget of $65.0M, Lincoln became a commercial success, earning $275.3M worldwide—a 324% return.
2 Oscars. 107 wins & 251 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Lincoln (2012) exemplifies deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Steven Spielberg's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 3.9, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Abraham Lincoln
Mary Todd Lincoln
William Seward
Thaddeus Stevens
Robert Lincoln
Preston Blair
Fernando Wood
W.N. Bilbo
Main Cast & Characters
Abraham Lincoln
Played by Daniel Day-Lewis
The 16th President of the United States, determined to pass the 13th Amendment and end slavery during the final months of the Civil War.
Mary Todd Lincoln
Played by Sally Field
The First Lady, emotionally fragile and grieving the loss of their son, struggling with her husband's political burdens.
William Seward
Played by David Strathairn
Lincoln's Secretary of State and trusted advisor, who orchestrates the political strategy to secure votes for the amendment.
Thaddeus Stevens
Played by Tommy Lee Jones
A radical Republican congressman and fierce abolitionist who must temper his idealism to achieve political victory.
Robert Lincoln
Played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Lincoln's eldest son, eager to enlist in the Union Army against his parents' wishes.
Preston Blair
Played by Hal Holbrook
An influential political figure who proposes peace negotiations with the Confederacy, complicating Lincoln's amendment strategy.
Fernando Wood
Played by Lee Pace
A Democratic congressman from New York who opposes the amendment and leads the opposition.
W.N. Bilbo
Played by James Spader
A political operative hired to secure Democratic votes through patronage and persuasion.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Lincoln speaks with two Black Union soldiers in the rain after battle, listening to them recite the Gettysburg Address. The war drags on, and equality remains unrealized despite the bloodshed.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Lincoln learns he has a narrow window: he can pass the 13th Amendment in the lame-duck Congress before peace comes and the chance is lost forever. If the war ends first, the Southern states return and the amendment dies.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 34 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Lincoln makes the active choice to pursue the 13th Amendment before peace, even if it means prolonging the war. He commits to the political fight, authorizing Seward to hire operatives to secure Democratic votes through patronage., moving from reaction to action.
At 68 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Significantly, this crucial beat False defeat: Confederate peace commissioners arrive in Washington. If Lincoln meets with them officially, the amendment dies—Democrats will never vote to end slavery if peace is at hand. The mission appears doomed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 101 minutes (68% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Lincoln is forced to send a carefully worded message to Congress stating no Confederate peace commissioners are "in the city of Washington," a technical truth (they're in Virginia) that feels like a lie. He has compromised his integrity for political victory., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 108 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. Lincoln gains clarity: the amendment is greater than his personal honor. He synthesizes his moral conviction with political pragmatism. On the morning of the vote, he is resolved and clear-eyed about the cost and necessity of his choices., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Lincoln's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Lincoln against these established plot points, we can identify how Steven Spielberg utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Lincoln within the biography genre.
Steven Spielberg's Structural Approach
Among the 33 Steven Spielberg films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.8, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Lincoln takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Steven Spielberg filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include After Thomas, Taking Woodstock and The Fire Inside. For more Steven Spielberg analyses, see The Adventures of Tintin, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and War Horse.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Lincoln speaks with two Black Union soldiers in the rain after battle, listening to them recite the Gettysburg Address. The war drags on, and equality remains unrealized despite the bloodshed.
Theme
Thaddeus Stevens states in Congress that true equality requires the Constitution itself to be changed, not just presidential proclamation. "The Constitution's a flawed document," establishing the theme: lasting change requires compromise and constitutional amendment.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Lincoln's world: the Civil War nearing its end, his troubled relationship with Mary Todd, his son Robert wanting to enlist, and the political landscape of a divided Congress where the 13th Amendment previously failed.
Disruption
Lincoln learns he has a narrow window: he can pass the 13th Amendment in the lame-duck Congress before peace comes and the chance is lost forever. If the war ends first, the Southern states return and the amendment dies.
Resistance
Lincoln debates whether to pursue peace or the amendment, consulting with his cabinet and advisors. Seward warns of the difficulty; radical Republicans demand purity. Lincoln weighs the moral cost of prolonging war against permanent freedom.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Lincoln makes the active choice to pursue the 13th Amendment before peace, even if it means prolonging the war. He commits to the political fight, authorizing Seward to hire operatives to secure Democratic votes through patronage.
Mirror World
Lincoln's relationship with the "hired hands" (Bilbo, Schell, and Latham) and his deepening bond with young clerk Asa Vintner represents the thematic subplot: how do good men accomplish good through imperfect means? The comedy and humanity of political dealmaking.
Premise
The "fun and games" of political maneuvering: Lincoln's operatives work to flip Democratic votes through jobs and favors, while Lincoln tells stories, navigates his fractious cabinet, and carefully manages the radical Republicans led by Stevens.
Midpoint
False defeat: Confederate peace commissioners arrive in Washington. If Lincoln meets with them officially, the amendment dies—Democrats will never vote to end slavery if peace is at hand. The mission appears doomed.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies from all sides: Mary Todd fears losing Robert to war, radicals suspect Lincoln of sabotaging the amendment for peace, Democrats demand to know about the commissioners, and Lincoln must choose between honesty and victory. The votes remain uncertain.
Collapse
Lincoln is forced to send a carefully worded message to Congress stating no Confederate peace commissioners are "in the city of Washington," a technical truth (they're in Virginia) that feels like a lie. He has compromised his integrity for political victory.
Crisis
Lincoln faces the darkness of his choice: he has deceived Congress, prolonged a bloody war, and strained his marriage. He sits alone with the weight of whether the end truly justifies these means.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Lincoln gains clarity: the amendment is greater than his personal honor. He synthesizes his moral conviction with political pragmatism. On the morning of the vote, he is resolved and clear-eyed about the cost and necessity of his choices.
Synthesis
The House votes on the 13th Amendment. Thaddeus Stevens moderates his language to win centrist votes. Democrats make their final arguments. The vote is called, and one by one the votes are counted, culminating in passage: 119-56. Slavery is abolished by Constitutional law.
Transformation
Lincoln lies on a bed at the Peterson House after being shot, his son Robert weeping beside him. He has given everything, including his life, for the principle of equality. The transformed nation will outlive him—permanent freedom achieved through imperfect means.