PHOTOS: The History of Abraham Lincoln on Film
The 16th president has been a Hollywood star and box office attraction since the earliest days of Hollywood
![lincoln-film-2.JPG](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/LTn0rio_GufYzBefaDcHmBuEBr0=/1000x750/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/8e/f6/8ef652df-ada4-4075-ae11-fd362f20949a/lincoln-film-2.jpg)
Abraham Lincoln, 1930
![Walter Huston](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/0rMY89eNqh3ChZsTwW_fIIPtdTc=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Lights-Camera-Lincoln-Walter-Huston-1.jpg)
Young Mr. Lincoln, 1939
![Henry Fonda](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/Aen1YfqIyonDKdg_a_LOYytOuhk=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Lights-Camera-Lincoln-Henry-Fonda-2.jpg)
Abe Lincoln in Illinois, 1940
![Raymond Massey](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/C5MrZWhyHZGjymQ3Y2KPSGXRA6c=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Lights-Camera-Lincoln-Raymond-Massey-3.jpg)
Lincoln, 1988
![Sam Waterston](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/O7ahtBa-89GEVqH7Ji2bOfBjHa8=/800x0/filters:no_upscale():focal(253x142:254x143)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Lights-Camera-Lincoln-Sam-Waterston-4.jpg)
For the television adaptation based on Gore Vidal's historical novel, the superb Sam Waterston owns the title role. "Lincoln was both 'Honest Abe' and this terrible, sneaky, wild cracker-barrel politician," Waterston said. "There is a place where those two things...meet. He was honest in his intent and wily in his practice."
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, 2012
![Benjamin Walker](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/JinHygAdZL_RFm53t1b5uUYletw=/800x0/filters:no_upscale():focal(195x136:196x137)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Lights-Camera-Lincoln-Benjamin-Walker-5.jpg)
The Lincoln legend is subjected to campy excess in producer Tim Burton's historical-fantasy genre mash-up. Benjamin Walker is an ax-wielding Abe, battling the undead.