Killing Lincoln (film)

Killing Lincoln is a 2013 American television film directed by Adrian Moat, based on the 2011 non-fiction book of the same name by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. It premiered on the National Geographic Channel on February 17, 2013. The film recounts the events surrounding the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in April 1865, focusing on both the perspectives of Lincoln and his assassin, actor John Wilkes Booth.

The film stars Billy Campbell as Abraham Lincoln, Jesse Johnson as John Wilkes Booth, and Raymond J. Barry as Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. It utilizes a blend of dramatic reenactments and historical commentary, aiming to present a factual and engaging account of the events leading up to, during, and after Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre. The narrative explores the motivations behind Booth's actions and the immediate aftermath of the assassination, including the manhunt for the conspirators.

Killing Lincoln was produced by Scott Free Productions and Bill O’Reilly’s production company. It was met with generally positive reviews and high viewership, becoming one of the National Geographic Channel's most-watched programs. However, the film was also subject to some criticism regarding historical accuracy and dramatic embellishment.