Manhunt Episode 1 Review: A History Teacher Reacts!

[@Concetta20]

Menzie’s performance, whether completely historically accurate or not, I was quite impressed with. I first saw him a little bit in Outlander (only saw a few episodes). I totally buy his American accent, but also just the heartbreak and the stress and the bulldog tenacity of his character was very well done.

[@thomaszozzaro3819]

Loved the Manhunt book. Very well written. However, as a fellow history teacher and Civil War buff, details are important. I have never understood why Hollywood thinks they can tell a better story than the actual historical event tells. The episode was good, but the mistakes were a little distracting for me.

[@blaineayers7049]

Look- im a history major/former teacher as well. My concentration was Antebellum South. I always appreciate shows/movies like this because it gets people interested in history. Like the movie The Patriot did. It tells the same stories in new ways. I thought the JWB exploration was fantastic, and he was a dead ringer. Most don't know how famous he really was. He was the Liam Hemsworth of the time. Yeah, there were some accuracy issues with it. And it goes way down the conspiracy theory route (as the book did), but this is mostly a positive effort by Apple + for the common person. Only dorks like us care about the details. If it doesn't really change the facts of history- does it really matter? Stanton didnt have a beard? Oh, the humanity. Wrong leg was broken? Most dont care. This is not to take anything away from your review, and pointing out the inaccuracies in the show, there is a place for that. But, I always try and look at the net/net effects of these historical attempts, and not try and sound like a history snob in the process.

[@MrDrosteHistory]

Agree. Like I said in the review, if it gets more people interested in the story, it's a win I think. Episode two, which I hope to make a video about, did have a scene where John Surrat is creeping around the Stanton's home after the assassination which is of course preposterous. That kind of thing I do take issue with. But this episode, for the most part, the historical inaccuracies didn't take away from the story too much and weren't egregious to the narrative. It was still an enjoyable watch.

[@Concetta20]

Yeah, I love history and being a DC Metro area native this reawakened my interest in the event. I never really realized the government was worried that this was a Confederate conspiracy sponsored by Jefferson Davis and the CSS (I mean, no duh, now that I think about it) but, when you learn about the basics as a kid you don’t really grasp what a horror show this was, not just Lincoln’s murder, but how easily the war could’ve started up all over again. It really prompted me to do a deeper dig into the event and the aftermath. I’m definitely going to take a day trip and retrace the Booth’s path.

[@NoSweat69]

A few point I gathered from just the first episode: 1. What were they thinking with not giving Stanton a beard that he was so famous for? 2. There were only 4 people around Lincoln’s deathbed when there was supposedly 16 based on accounts 3. (A minor point) Not sure why JWB shouted “freedom for the south” but it’s not a major issue 4. Like you mentioned in your review, Lincoln and Stanton did not get on as well as portrayed in the series

[@airbornetrooper2452]

The chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting on. Is on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan.

[@MrDrosteHistory]

I went there when I was in my late teens. Would love to go back.

[@Desert-Father]

Stanton, not even having a beard, was a dead giveaway that the series did not value historical accuracy.

[@edschermerhorn5415]

With the number of people who have visited Ford’s theater and the boarding house across the street, I was shocked at the discrepancies (the access to the enclosed box from the balcony, the very small room where Lincoln died, etc) Another example where the real story is already compelling, no need to over dramatize. I look forward to your review of episode two and the role of Mary at Dr. Mudd’s house.

[@Al2ysAdventures]

Yes, please keep the reviews coming, also there is no mention of Lucy Hale. Now, JWB does mention a “fiancé” as a rouse to get over the bridge, but other than that, there isn’t anything else. I’m pretty sure he saw her that morning around 9:30am and then went to get a hair cut, which wasn’t depicted either. Also, JWB never saw the Lincoln’s entering the theater, so I was confused on why that was put in there

[@joannekinnally7530]

I love this historical fact check. This is a great review and I’d love to see more. You make learning about history fun!

[@stephenborchers1205]

Yes keep the reviews coming Thanks

[@russellmillett5642]

Can't wait for your videos on the rest od the episodes! Great educational value here to watch along side the show

[@MrDrosteHistory]

New review is dropping tonight!

[@russellmillett5642]

@@MrDrosteHistory huzzah!

[@GStatusMusicChannel]

Hey man this was great! The show is good but I do think there’s a lot of questionable inaccuracies that i wonder how/why made it into the show. Overall though, I am enjoying it. Would love to see episode two and three reviews! Great work!

[@thatnascarfan8163]

Heh just got back from my 8th grade field trip to DC and we went to fords theater to do a tour. During that tour, our tour guide ended up telling us abt this show so i ended up watching it, and the whole box thing you mentioned abt how it wasn’t enclosed was the first thing i caught when watching it. Idk thought it was kinda funny

[@Bwkjam]

Some nitpicks, but compare it to some Netflix docudramas and this is high art.

[@Concetta20]

Yeah, being very familiar with Ford’s Theatre, as a local, the look of the box was the most jarring and noticeable departure for me. I’m fairly ignorant of the rest of the more detailed departures. I honestly forgot which leg Booth broke-and for some reason I thought Booth never made it to Virginia, I don’t know why. I thought they remained stuck on the MD side of the Potomac after they got turned around.

[@Iloveorliandwicked]

Linklater is 6’4” just like Lincoln. But remember Lincoln had Marfan Syndrome (Linklater doesn’t so of course he won’t be as lanky).

[@MrDrosteHistory]

Did not know that. Good to know. His Lincoln "speaking voice" is.....not very good....but I opted to stay away from getting too negative as it's a tough role to nail. I think he's passable at least.

[@Iloveorliandwicked]

@@MrDrosteHistory when I heard him in the Appomattox scene I was like … “umm is this voice on purpose??” and had to do some further research on Lincoln. Apparently Lincoln had a higher but well-carried voice. The remainder of the season so far Linklater’s voice was not as squeaky as that Appomattox scene. It has gotta be tough to do a voice from an era we don’t have recordings from. So props to his efforts. However - I commend Menzies on his American accent. He’s a phenomenal actor but in interviews he has stated he went through rigorous auditioning to prove he could pass as an American. Pretty crazy a Brit plays the lead character in an American drama about American history. Many would probably never guess he’s a Brit; this is only his second role with an American accent (his first being smaller scenes in a movie called You Hurt My Feelings). I truly hope Menzies wins some well-earned awards after this series. You’d think his role as the most sadistic psychopath in Outlander would be his ticket to higher fame but maybe this show will get him that deserved recognition.

[@MrDrosteHistory]

@@Iloveorliandwicked Exactly. I think the problem is it sounds forced and not as natural as someone like Daniel Day-Lewis. I know what he was going for, just seems off to me. I'm only through episode three thus far so will see how it changes. Agree on Menzies, he's phenomenal.

[@Zarastro54]

There’s also the fact that the average height has increased since then, so many of the actors are also around 6ft. Thus making Lincoln look shorter by comparison.

[@Zarastro54]

When I was seeing Menzies in the trailers, I assumed he was just a lead investigator. Even for the first like, 10 minutes of his screen time every time he used Stanton’s name I thought he was just working _under_ Stanton and using his name for clearance. I was shocked when I realized that he was actually supposed to BE Stanton because they made literally no effort to make him look like him. Did they think the audience wouldn’t relate to a character with a huge beard? Was it a Henry Caville situation where he had another roll where he needed to be clean shaven coming up so that he couldn’t grow a beard? It’s just so weird how they try to make everyone BUT the protagonist look like their historical counterpart.

[@holleyb7861]

I totally agree on the Ford's Theater segment. We have an old music hall with enclosed balconies that would have been perfect. 🤓

[@JenerationX69]

Hi! I really hope you keep the reviews coming. While I’m waiting I’ll be watching your other videos. I’m a history geek, too!

[@MrDrosteHistory]

New review is dropping tonight!

[@jackruzicka7508]

Please review the rest of the episodes! I also wouldn’t be opposed to an “Every Nitpick Video” 😂

[@MrDrosteHistory]

New review is dropping tonight!

[@bluefil7181]

Did they show a link between Booth and the British?

[@gloryveemartinez1173]

Saw episode 2 review before review num 1..so now im or something interested in watching the series. Thank you

[@MrDrosteHistory]

Thank you for watching the video!

[@jameslynn7271]

I think National Geographic did a documentary based on the book a few years ago.

[@Gallipoli1929]

They should require disclaimers when they change history. It's laziness at best, narcissism more likely

[@thomasrindos2217]

I’m enjoying the comparison from fact to friction. The show is definitely a gateway to learn the details of the events around Lincoln that wasn’t taught in school and your explaining the finer details are great. I can’t find anymore then episode one reaction, is there more that I’m missing or have you not made anything past episode one?

[@MrDrosteHistory]

This is all I have released so far. I have seen the first three episodes now so could start going on them. I was waiting to see what the reaction was to this video before I made any others. Looks like there’s some interest in continuing the reviews!

[@thomasrindos2217]

I’m happy to know you are planning to release more content. Ive become so fascinated with this story and grateful to know the difference from Hollywood and reality, especially in the reality that is just left for Hollywood to teach us. So shocked on what we didn’t learn about this assassination. Thank you again for being a great teacher and thank you to Apple TV for telling this part of our history.

[@MrDrosteHistory]

@@thomasrindos2217 Check out some of the other videos on my channel if you haven't already. I have a detailed run down of the assassination itself, as well as some lesser known Lincoln stories!

[@calvinfisher5886]

great insight!

[@ChrisWeil]

Why did they have Stanton say --now he belongs to the Angels and not the ages( if my ears didnt deceive me)

[@MrDrosteHistory]

There are some secondary sources that claim Stanton said Angels instead of ages, since he was very religious. However, those sources claim so decades after the fact. There were no primary sources who indicated that. Three people who were in the room said Stanton said “ages.”

[@TheDecider2024]

Some of the scenes I find annoying lol. They overdo it but I nitpick it all.

[@christianmoniz4254]

the guy who plays lincoln in my opinion, was awful. everything about him was terrible.

[@Perrosiutico]

The series "Manhunt" contains inaccurate depictions of historical events and might be offensive to knowledgeable viewers. Anyone watching should remember that this series is for entertainment purposes only and should not assume that it contains factual information.