‘Killing Lincoln’ premiere on National Geographic commemorates President Lincoln’s death anniversary

National Geographic Channel has set the Philippine premiere of its first original scripted drama, “Killing Lincoln,” for April 14, 2013, marking the 148th anniversary of the assassination of US President Abraham Lincoln. Narrated on camera by Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and produced by Ridley and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Productions, the film is a two-hour masterpiece that dramatizes what is considered to be one of the most significant events in American history.

Based on the best-selling book Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever that was co-written by political commentator and media personality Bill O’Reilly and author Martin Dugard, “Killing Lincoln” recounts the last days of President Lincoln at the close of the American Civil War and exposes how John Wilkes Booth, a popular Shakespearean actor and staunch Confederate supporter, conspires to kill him and subsequently bring down the Union government. On April 14, 1865, President Lincoln went to Ford’s Theatre with his wife Mary to see a play and was shot down at 11 PM by Booth, who jumped down from the theater box, made his way to the stage through the panicking crowd and shouted, “Sic semper tyrannis!” But how could he commit such a terrible act?

“’Killing Lincoln’ is a true historical story that explores John Wilkes Booth’s actions before and after the assassination. We go into a life that has never been seen before from this perspective. And that life provides great insight into one of the biggest conspiracies in this country’s history,” said Executive Producer Ridley Scott. The film also portrays an unprecedented manhunt for Booth and his co-conspirators for committing a crime that shook an entire nation to its core.

Erik Jendresen, writer and producer for the critically acclaimed series “Band of Brothers,” wrote the script for “Killing Lincoln” based on O’Reilly’s book and was excited to work with National Geographic. “With the National Geographic brand, the audience trusts that they are in the hands of a reliable storyteller. If the content is enclosed by that golden border, viewers know it must be authentic. So the opportunity to do something with National Geographic Channel was extraordinary – it was a tremendous responsibility and we all took it quite seriously,” he said.

Much research and effort went into production to make the film historically accurate. A talented and capable cast comprising veteran and new faces bring the historical drama to life, with Billy Campbell bringing gravitas to the role of Abraham Lincoln and newcomer Jesse Johnson turning the conventionally two-dimensional villainy of Booth into a breakthrough performance. Accomplished actors Geraldine Hughes and Graham Beckel lend their chops to a magnificent production as Mary Todd Lincoln and Edwin Stanton – Lincoln’s secretary of war – respectively. “Tom Hanks is a captivating storyteller that really helps to guide the audience through the entire film,” adds Scott.

“Killing Lincoln” made National Geographic history when it broke the channel’s records for viewership, garnering 3.4 million viewers when the film premiered on February 17 in the US. It will be aired on April 14 at 9 PM on National Geographic Channel for its Asian premiere.