Film still from ‘The Heart of Lincoln’
Dan Martin never expected to uncover a century-old silent film. During his final week as an intern at a Long Island film archive, the film preservation student found a film considered lost by the Library of Congress. It was one of more than 7,000 silent pictures thought to be missing. Sometimes, however, the past has a way of returning.
While sorting through a massive collection of roughly 10,000 donated films—mostly educational reels once used in classrooms—Martin stumbled upon five film cans containing The Heart of Lincoln, a 65-minute silent film. The picture was directed by Francis Ford, the older brother of John Ford—one of Hollywood’s most notable Golden Age filmmakers—who was deeply fascinated with Abraham Lincoln’s story. Ford portrayed the renowned president in nine of the silent films he directed, including The Heart of Lincoln.
In the rediscovered film, Ford again takes on Lincoln’s role. The plot follows a widow who once provided shelter to a young Lincoln during a storm. Years later, during the Civil War, Lincoln repays her kindness by intervening when her son is captured by Union forces and accused of being a spy, ultimately saving his life.
Originally shot in 1915 and later recut in 1922, The Heart of Lincoln went missing for decades soon after its release. Few have seen the film since it played for just one day at various theaters in 1922. This was not uncommon. According to the Library of Congress, between 1912 and 1929, nearly 11,000 American silent films were released, yet only about 3,300 are known to still exist.
Despite being a century old, the copy of The Heart of Lincoln was remarkably well-preserved. This is thanks to the well-sealed can that contained the reel. The preservation allowed the film to be carefully cleaned and digitized, making it possible to view today.
According to Joe Lauro, the owner of Historic Films Archive—the site of the discovery—he hopes to have a score composed before restoring and enhancing the film. He also plans to donate the reels to the Library of Congress.
Short films from history are available on the Historic Films Archive’s YouTube channel.
Dan Martin, an intern at a Long Island film archive, discovered The Heart of Lincoln, a 1915 silent film long thought lost by the Library of Congress.
Directed by and staring Francis Ford, the film is about how Abraham Lincoln repays a widow’s past kindness by saving her son during the Civil War.
The well-preserved film is now being digitized, with plans for restoration and a new score before its donation to the Library of Congress.
Historic Films Archive: Website | YouTube | Facebook
Sources: Intern Finds Only Known Surviving Copy of ‘The Heart of Lincoln,’ a Silent Film Thought to Be Lost to History; A Lost Silent Film About Lincoln Was Unearthed by an Intern
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