Have any of you watched this film by Robert Redford about the trial of Mary E. Surratt and the Lincoln assassination? I have never really studied this in depth, and know just enough of the chain of events that took place, but I am wondering how others perceive the accuracy/inaccuracy of the events portrayed in the film.
I have been reading up on the events, the people, and finding new fascination in this portion of history. Her lawyer, Frederick Aiken (a former Union officer) presents a very sound case which lends one to believe what the film basically portrays – that she was guilty of association by her son to John Wilkes Booth and that Edwin Stanton and those he controlled were out to make her a scapegoat since they didn’t have her son, John, who was certainly more guilty than his mother.
Also of note is that a military tribunal was used against civilians as opposed to a jury of peers and that Mrs. Surratt would be the first woman executed by the United States government.
Gonna do much more reading, but anyone who has seen this have anything to add? Also, it seems like this is a good start for The American Film Company and its focus on historic events.
