Uncover the Hidden Secrets Behind Every Scene in “Lincoln” — A Riveting Script Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

After a first pass, it’s time to crack open the script for a deeper analysis and you can do that by creating a scene-by-scene breakdown. It is precisely what it sounds like: A list of all the scenes in the script accompanied by a brief description of the events that transpire.

For purposes of this exercise, I have a slightly different take on scene. Here I am looking not just for individual scenes per se, but a scene or set of scenes that comprise one event or a continuous piece of action. Admittedly this is subjective and there is no right or wrong, the point is simply to break down the script into a series of parts which you then can use dig into the script’s structure and themes.

The value of this exercise:

• We pare down the story to its most constituent parts: Scenes.
• By doing this, we consciously explore the structure of the narrative.
• A scene-by-scene breakdown creates a foundation for even deeper analysis of the story.

Today: Lincoln (2012). You may download the script here.

Screenplay by Tony Kushner, book by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

IMDb plot summary: As the Civil War continues to rage, America’s president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.

Lincoln
Scene by Scene Breakdown
By Paul Graunke
GoIntoTheStory.com

P1 Open with a scene of muddy and blood hand-to-hand fighting between Black Union soldiers and White Confederate soldiers.

P1–6 Lincoln talks to 2 Black soldiers about the battle and the upcoming siege of the harbor at Wilmington, NC. The Black soldiers point out the lack of equal pay and opportunity in the military. Two White soldiers interject themselves; one recites Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address — until called to ranks. A Black soldier finishes reciting the Address.

P6–9 Lincoln tells his wife Mary another ominous dream. Mary insists a recent “carriage accident” was an attempted assassination on him. Lincoln declares his goal…