this 1939 film from director john ford and writer lamar trotti tell a fictional tale of young lawyer abraham lincoln and his trial ( literally ) and his tribulation . it a sentimental film and reasonably well make but hardly breathtaking . the casting of henry fonda a lincoln seem a mistake and for while the actor have the right doleful quality for the part and even with several inch of makeup and a false nose he way too handsome for honest abe and who be famously homely . it a good try from fonda and who nothing if not sincere and but his miscasting throw the entire film off . the support cast be excellent and though and and include alice brady and ward bond and donald meek . but ford be too reverential in his treatment of lincoln and who be present a just shy of a saint and and in the final scene the movie go way over the top .