Konrad Herling on "The Conspirator"

"The Conspirator" is not just for history buffs, it's also for those going into the theatre with great skepticism about the film’s accuracy – and for anyone interested in defending the underdog, literally against all odds.  And yes, it's for you, even if you know how the story ends.

James McAvoy, plays the role of Frederick Aiken, a former Civil War general for the Union and defense attorney for Mary Surratt (portrayed so very well by Robin Wright), who has been accused of conspiring to assassinate President Lincoln.

Interesting side note – Aiken, is held in high regard by the higher ups
at the War Department, including Secretary of War Edwin Stanton
(played admirably by Kevin Kline). Yet in the courtroom, Aiken must go
toe to toe with Stanton, who is determined to hold a military trial
to decide the fate of the accused – and that the guilty will pay
with their lives. 

The film asserts that it is John Surratt, Mary Surratt’s son, who was the conspirator, but Stanton’s forces couldn’t find him fast enough for his timetable, which was aimed to render a verdict as quickly as possible.

Prior to the trial's conclusion, Aiken encounters Stanton at a social function and questions him about the fairness of Mary Surratt’s trial. Stanton’s responds that one of the Surratt’s must be held accountable, and if Mary’s son could not be found, then that was just a matter of tough luck.

“Justice” could not be deferred or it would leave the Country in a state of uncertainty, Stanton tells him, and he won’t stand for it.

The film delves further into the history of the assassination and case, but I’ll leave that for the theatergoer to experience.

While one may question Redford’s interpretation of what occurred, what one cannot question is that the mood and tone of the court room and that of the tribunal were contrary to the national mood that Lincoln himself was attempting to shape, prior to his assassination.

As an American History major and Civil War era buff since ten, I can tell you that most of the written material on Lincoln’s plan of reconstruction reflects his intent to invite the South back into the Union, rather than to exact revenge and retribution. He wanted to offer them the opportunity to redevelop their demolished economy, sans slavery, and reignite a spirit of being part of one America.

The irony is that Stanton’s personal and legal response to the murder ran contrary to the Presiden'ts vision of a Post Civil War Aemrica – a tone that Lincoln eloquently expressed in his Second Inaugural Address, “With malice toward none, with charity for all."

As a film reviewer, I feel "The Conspirator" was very well done.  As a history major, I am inspired to learn more about how President  Andrew Johnson and Stanton implemented their vision of a post Civil War America – and how the military trials may have made it more difficult to unify the Country in the manner Lincoln envisioned.