Spielberg: A director's life reflected in film

Steven Spielberg: No. I didn't. That's why I shot it in black and white. I did everything I needed to do to tell the story the way I thought the story should be told, to give it as much integrity as I could, never expecting it to make a dollar.

But it did, and then some: it made 320 million. Spielberg won his first Oscars for Directing and Best Picture. And his career went to a whole new level.

And now he's turned his nervous energy into making a movie about Abraham Lincoln, a subject he researched for twelve years: immersing himself in the look, the sounds, the smallest details of life in 1865.

Steven Spielberg: I've always wanted to tell a story about Lincoln. I saw a paternal

father figure, I saw someone who was completely, stubbornly committed to his ideals, to his vision.

The movie is about how Lincoln gets the 13th amendment abolishing slavery passed by Congress. It's a little-known story in the last four months of his life. Daniel Day-Lewis is Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln: Abolishing slavery by constitutional provisions settles the fate for all coming time. Not only of the millions now in bondage, but of unborn millions to come.

Lesley Stahl: There's not a lot of action. There's no Spielberg special effects.

Steven Spielberg: Right.

Lesley Stahl: It's a movie about process and politics. Have you ever done a movie even remotely--

Steven Spielberg: Never. Like this?

Lesley Stahl: Not even close.

Steven Spielberg: Never. No. I knew I could do the action in my sleep at this point in my career. In my life, the action doesn't hold any-- it doesn't attract me anymore.

With only one brief battle scene, the movie's more like a stage play with lots of dialog as Lincoln cajoles and horse trades for votes.

Abraham Lincoln: Bloods been spilt to afford us this moment. Now, now, now!

Spielberg decided to hold off releasing the movie until after the November election, because he didn't want the film to become a tug of war about party politics.

Steven Spielberg: I think the film is very relevant for today. It's about leadership.

Lesley Stahl: And there are certainly lessons about talking with people from the other side.

Steven Spielberg: Right. And about telling the truth about how you feel.

Lesley Stahl: But what about the brooding, depressed Lincoln?

Steven Spielberg: I think there is a sense of a darkness with him. He was living with two agendas, both of which had to do with healing, had to do with a solution, first, to abolish slavery, end the war. But he also had his personal life. And I think there's darkness in there.

In his personal life, he was contending with his depressed wife, played by Sally Field.

Abraham Lincoln: No one has ever lived who knows better than you.

And this being a Spielberg film, you also see Lincoln struggling to raise his sons.

Lesley Stahl: This is definitely a heroic father movie.

Steven Spielberg: He was the father of the nation in need of repair. And in a sense, the movies I've made recently have reflected the positive relationships that my dad and I have enjoyed for 20, 25 years.

Lesley Stahl: How important was that reconciliation for your ability to make a movie like this?

Steven Spielberg: I think one of the worst things that happened to me was, you know, my voluntary fallout with my father. And then the greatest thing that happened to me was when I saw the light, and realized I needed to love him in a way that he could love me back.

Lesley Stahl: Steven does say that his own creativity seems to still grow out of this household.

Arnold Spielberg: Well, we must've left some sort of impression.

Lesley Stahl: I'll say that.

Leah married Arnold's friend, who has since died; Arnold and his wife are now close to Leah.

Lesley Stahl: The three of you are very close?

Arnold Spielberg and Leah Adler: Yes.

Lesley Stahl: Isn't life something.

Arnold Spielberg: Yeah.

Leah Adler: Isn't it a hoot.

Lesley Stahl: Isn't it a hoot.

Arnold Spielberg: And she's a nice woman.

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[WandM87]

Do we really need another presentation of Lincoln the Myth? Instead of gushing over another Hollywood liberal, how about asking some questions about his historical vision? Does this film mention Lincoln's support of the Corwin Amendment which would have prohibited any amendment to the U. S. Constitution that abolished or interfered with slavery or Lincoln's stated belief that the federal government should not interfere with the domestic institutions of the states? Does the film cover Lincoln's suppression of the press and dissent in the north? Is Clement Vallandigham mentioned?
No president ever double talked as much as Lincoln and the result was 700,000 American deaths. Would Sixty Minutes let any modern Republican get away with such contradictory statements and actions?
Thus always to tyrants.

[sarcastical]

Spielberg is not German.

[maiingan]

Yes, it is in the German language.

[sarcastical]

Does Spielberg know of he be doing against himself?
Creation of a movie about an American president, be so irrelivant, in comparison to Steve's past history.
As such a movie will not share with his descent.
In comparison to Steve's past movies.
Which be why they be titled such: so to remain with the ancestry of Spielberg.
I say all my above, as someone who supports that Spielberg finally made a change.

The $ results of the 'Abraham Lincoln' movie, likely not be as successful.

[fiddlerlady]

Why was Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, Team of Rivals, not mentioned even once in the story?

[maiingan]

Thanks for an excellent segment, CBS. Memo to Steven Spielberg: the surname "Spielberg" IS German. The fact that many Jews have it doesn't remove it from the realm of the German language. There is a lot of history and some uncertainty about the complete etymology of this, as well as many other surnames. Judaism is a religion, not a language.

[sarcastical]

All names that end in "berg" are Jewish.
Where are YOUR sources?
Steve "Spielberg" = Jewish. Proven even more via the high amount of $$$$$$$.
As I tried to say in my above comment: why be it that so many of Steve's movies resulted in having Jewish words WITHIN THE TITLE.

(so that make total of 2 Jewish names, when added to Steve's last name)

[sarcastical]

"berg" is Jewish.

[sarcastical]

"berg" is NOT German.

[sarcastical]

"berg" is NOT.

[redstone33442]

This guy is really screwed up and blames it all on his parents. Then he says he forgives them. What a pompous ass. Typical Lib. Whatcha bet the 'Lincoln' film somehow finds a way to attack conservatives.

[katroyer]

I came away from watching this thinking--how amazing that this 'kid' who was bulllied for being a jew & a nerd & confused about his parents' divorce turned these negative aspects of his life into a career which is rewarding,successful & brings millions of people joy. Screwed up? You're the one who is pathetic, mr. conservative, like most of your ilk, you can only make hateful comments about the story. That's what's wrong w/you right-wingers--you're so filled with hate and paranoia--you're always looking for someone to tear down, so you can feel good about yourself.

[redstone33442]

This guy