Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Season 1 – Lincoln's Dilemma

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Lincoln's Dilemma Feb 2022 Documentary History Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Based on historian David S. Reynolds' award-winning book, "Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times," the series, "Lincoln's Dilemma," features insights from journalists, educators and scholars, as well as rare archival materials, that offer a more nuanced look into the life of the Great Emancipator. Set against the background of the Civil War, "Lincoln's Dilemma" also gives voice to the narratives of enslaved people, shaping a more complete view of an America divided over issues including economy, race and humanity, and underscoring Lincoln's battle to save the country, no matter the cost. The series is narrated award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright ("Angels in America") and features the voices of actor Bill Camp ("The Night Of") as Lincoln and Leslie Odom Jr. ("Hamilton") as Frederick Douglas.
Watch on Apple TV Stream Now

Where to Watch

Lincoln's Dilemma — Season 1

Lincoln's Dilemma — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Lincoln's Dilemma focuses on the thornier parts of the 16th president's political evolution to deliver a comprehensive -- and oftentimes inspiring -- overview of the Civil War.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Nick Schager The Daily Beast 02/23/2022
Lincoln's Dilemma should be required viewing. Go to Full Review Melanie McFarland Salon.com 02/23/2022
Lincoln's Dilemma presents a more comprehensive view of the Black experience during the Civil War as part of its narrower focus on Lincoln's presidency and the war as opposed to expressly profiling the man. Go to Full Review Bill Goodykoontz Arizona Republic 02/22/2022
It’s not ineffective; the subject matter makes it interesting. We’ve just seen this kind of thing before. Go to Full Review M.N. Miller Ready Steady Cut 11/05/2022
5/5
Eye-opening, morally complex, thought-provoking. Go to Full Review Melissa Camacho Common Sense Media 03/01/2022
5/5
Lincolns Dilemma addresses Abraham Lincoln with respect, and acknowledges what he realistically accomplished during his presidency, as well as the fact that the long-held myths about him were not of his own making. Go to Full Review Neely Swanson Easy Reader (California) 03/01/2022
The diversity of voices speaking to the issue of Lincoln and emancipation is astonishing. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Sal D @JustTheLaw 12/03/2023 To keep me engaged for nearly 4 hours requires magnetism. I was learned about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War before deciding to watch the first episode but could not step away until the credits. I learned quite a bit from this docu-series, contextualizing Lincoln more accurately, and I found each of the commentators, along with narration from original speeches and written words, to be very enlightening. See more Read all reviews
Lincoln's Dilemma — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Jeffrey Wright

Narrator

Bill Camp

Abraham Lincoln

Leslie Odom Jr.

Frederick Douglass

Christopher Bonner

Self

Lonnie Bunch

Self

Kellie Carter Jackson

Self

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Feb 18, 2022 The Anti-Slavery Candidate As Abraham Lincoln prepares to take office, the debate over slavery pushes the country toward a civil war. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 18, 2022 So You See, the Man Moves Thousands of enslaved people flee north and join Union forces, tipping the scales of military power; President Lincoln strategizes the path to reunification. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 18, 2022 A New Birth of Freedom President Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation, but Black Americans like Frederick Douglass know it's a far cry from abolition. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 18, 2022 A Sacred Effort President Lincoln wins reelection; in the aftermath of the war, he commits himself to abolishing slavery and passes the 13th Amendment. Details

More Like This

View All
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History 100% 94% The Roosevelts: An Intimate History Watchlist America in Color % % America in Color Watchlist How Disney Built America % % How Disney Built America Watchlist Washington % % Washington Watchlist The Story of Late Night % % The Story of Late Night Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Lincoln's Dilemma — Season 1

Lincoln's Dilemma View more photos

Season Info

Executive Producer
Peter W. Kunhardt, Teddy Kunhardt, George Kunhardt, Josh Tyrangiel, Richard Plepler, Jacqueline Olive, Barak Goodman, Jelani Cobb
Network
Apple TV
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Documentary, History
Original Language
English
Release Date
Feb 18, 2022