The Last of Mrs. Lincoln (Broadway Theatre Archive)

This 1976 KCET production directed by George Schaefer is a re-creation of the 1972 Broadway play for which Julie Harris won one of her 5 Tony Awards.Ms. Harris' performance will keep you riveted to the screen in this astounding portrayal of the ageing, troubled, and misunderstood Mary Todd Lincoln.Exquisitely written by James Prideaux, it's a compassionate portrait of this first lady who's love for her husband made it so hard for her to live without him, and does give insight into certain things. It was Mary who installed many improvements in the White House (like plumbing !), and was never sufficiently renumerated for them by the government.The final seventeen years of her life depicted are not all doom and gloom, thanks to the script, which is balanced with wonderful wit. I love the dialogue with Senator Austin (well played by Denver Pyle) in a sparse hotel room in Frankfurt, as well as the repartee with a malicious gossip (deliciously played by Kate Wilkinson) during her 1875 stay in Springfield.The rest of the cast is excellent: Michael Christopher plays her son Robert, who was the only one of their children to live to full maturity, Robby Benson her beloved Tad (two other children had died previously), Priscilla Morrill and Ford Rainey play her her sister Elizabeth and brother-in-law Ninian, and Patrick Duffy their grandson, Edward Lewis Baker Jr.The costume design by Noel Taylor is marvelous, and I was especially delighted to see the reproduction of the beautiful gown adorned with flowers with matching flower headress seen in photographs of Mrs. Lincoln, and Ms. Harris wears it with beauty, grace and style.Mrs. Lincoln died at age sixtythree in her sister's house in Springfield, the same house she was married in, and given the wedding ring with the inscription "Love is Eternal".This is a remarkable drama for history buffs, and Julie Harris is truly the First Lady of the stage.

Touching,heart-felt, riveting, unforgettable; these are just a few of the adjectives I freely use in describing this wonderful production of 'The Last of Mrs. Lincoln'. I have become a huge Lincoln family buff in the last few years, and, have seen a few TV and other movies, etc., which usually deals with President Lincoln's rise from his simple, difficult prairie upbringing to his becoming President and ending with his assassination. I was just delighted when I learned of this Broadway production which focuses on the aftermath of Mrs. Mary Lincoln as well as her two remaining sons, which came out in the 1970's. Well! I must admit from the moment I started watching this mesmerizing, and moving showcase I could not take my eyes off it! This story just tugged at my heart and seeing this in live play form just made the family so very real and lifelike and I found myself sincerely feeling all their pain, hardship, etc. in dealing with this soul-crushing event in history. This story affected me so deeply that it stays in my mind as well as my heart. You just have to be inspired by the way that Mary and Robert were able to go on after the added tragedy of losing Tad. Robert Todd Lincoln must have been made of very strong stock to deal with all the mounting problems including the ultimately gut- wrenching decision to have his beloved mother, Mary, institutionalized. I was amazed by all the actors most notably Julie Harris, Michael Cristofer, and Robby Benson as Mary, Robert, and Tad Lincoln. Anyone who has any fascination as well as interest in this first family should get your hands on a DVD or VHS copy of this play immediately!

Julie Harris does a spectacular job playing Mary Todd Lincoln. I saw her play this role on stage many years ago in Washington, D.C. and it was the beginning of my love affair with the Lincolns. This work provides an in depth look into the heart and mind of a very intelligent and gracious woman. Troubled yes, crazy no. I have always felt that Mary got a bad rap. If you are really interested in the Lincolns I would highly recommend it.

I'm currently doing the music for this great show for a community theater group. This was so helpful and Julie Harris was a joy to watch.

The best stage play I have ever seen. I just hope she won something for her performance.Thank you for offering this movie on Amazon.

This story is so real and break's your heart at the same time,,if only the ending could be changed,,but just as in life,you can never go back and rewrite a story,that maybe would have lite the Heaven's,,,

What a play!!!!

Great.