A Lincoln factual flaw has been spotted by an eagle-eyed Congressman from Connecticut.
The flaw was actually quite a big on, historically. In the movie, two Connecticut congressmen vote against the 13th amendment to the constitution, which would outlaw slavery.
That seemed off to Rep. Joe Courtney, The Associated Press noted.
“‘Wow. Connecticut voted against abolishing slavery?’” Courtney recalled hearing audience members ask. “I obviously had the same reaction. It was really bugging me.”
So Courtney looked into the Lincoln factual flaw and found out his instinct was right. After searching Congressional Research Service, the congressman found that all four Connecticut representatives backed the amendment in a vote in 1865.
Courtney said he enjoyed the acting and cinematography but believes filmmakers should have portrayed the events accurately. He said he hope filmmakers correct the error for the DVD release.
“How could congressmen from Connecticut – a state that supported President Lincoln and lost thousands of her sons fighting against slavery on the Union side of the Civil War – have been on the wrong side of history?” he said in his letter.
The Lincoln factual flaw will likely do little to slow the film during award season. The movie received the most Oscar nominations with 13 including for best actor (Daniel Day-Lewis), best supporting actress (Sally Field), best supporting actor (Tommy Lee Jones), and best adapted screenplay (Tony Kushner).
On the strength of its performances from Day-Lewis and Field and directing from Steven Spielberg, Lincoln is expected by many to sweep the Oscars, ABC News noted.
An official from Dreamworks did not respond to a request from The Associated Press to discuss the Lincoln factual flaw.
