AppleTV+ released its first trailer today for its upcoming miniseries based on the Lincoln assassination book, Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson. I have previously written about this new series that is set to debut on the streaming service on March 15. This trailer gives us our first real look into the series, which will focus on the efforts of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to track down Lincoln’s assassins. Give the trailer a watch:
I had a few initial thoughts while watching this trailer.
- Anthony Boyle, the actor playing John Wilkes Booth, looks pretty good in the role. He has a decent resemblance to the assassin, much more so than some of the reenactment Booths used in some TV documentaries about the assassination.
- Booth yells “Freedom for the South” from the theater box. While a limited number of eyewitness accounts claimed Booth might have yelled, “Freedom!”, “Revenge for the South!” or “The South is avenged!” I don’t recall reading “Freedom for the South!” before. It’s certainly not in Swanson’s book. The overwhelming evidence is that Booth said, “Sic Semper Tyrannis!” after shooting Lincoln, though whether this was in the box or on the stage is debated.
- Stanton is shown learning of Lincoln’s assassination while riding a carriage during a fireworks display. Fireworks are also shown as Booth is riding out of Baptist Alley behind Ford’s. While visually appealing, the Grand Illumination in D.C. featuring fireworks was technically on the night of April 13, not the night of Lincoln’s assassination. Also, Stanton learned of the attack on Secretary Seward first. It was when Stanton arrived at the Seward house to check on the Secretary of State at about the same time as Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles that he was informed that Lincoln had also been targeted. However, this trailer may be depicting that event as it’s unclear from the clip where Stanton is supposed to be.
- Booth is shown interacting with and seemingly threatening actress Lovie Simone, who plays the part of Mary Simms. As I previously noted, Mary Simms and her siblings left the Mudd farm in 1864 and were not around in 1865. Booth did not interact with Mary Simms during his escape.
- The interior of Ford’s Theatre replicates the stage set of Our American Cousin well, but the theater box looks nothing like the real thing. It appears that Major Rathbone and Clara Harris are seated in their own box a few feet above the President and Mrs. Lincoln. It’s too bad the actual box appearance and layout couldn’t be recreated.
- The overhead shot of Lincoln’s plain coffin being carried down the circular stairs of the Petersen House is an effective one.
- At the 1:06 mark, you’ll see the actor playing Booth’s slayer, Boston Corbett. The actor’s name is William Mark McCullough. Coincidentally, he played John Wilkes Booth in 2015 Smithsonian Channel documentary, Lincoln’s Last Days.
- There’s just a flash of the conspirators seated in their courtroom at the 1:13 mark. I can easily make out a hunched and bearded George Atzerodt, but I’m not sure about the other two men visible. Mary Surratt is erroneously shown placed amongst the men.
- A man is shown in daylight pulling guns on the fugitives and stating, “I know who you are Mr. Booth.” I was uncertain who this figure was supposed to represent, but looking through the cast list on IMDB, it seems this is actor Roger Payano in the role of Oswell Swan. Swan guided Booth and Herold across the Zekiah Swamp to Samuel Cox’s home of Rich Hill. However, this occurred at nighttime, and Swan didn’t know the identities of the men he took over the swamp. He certainly didn’t pull a gun on them.
- At 1:30, blink and you’ll miss actor Matt Walsh as Dr. Samuel Mudd handing something to Herold and Booth while a servant (likely the anachronistic Mary Simms) watches in the background. From this quick shot, Walsh looks good as Dr. Mudd.
- The music in this trailer is quite good. I hope the actual show utilizes some of the songs included here.
From this trailer, it’s clear there will be a lot to talk about when the miniseries airs. What are your thoughts on this first look?
LincolnConspirators.com 
How does Mr Swanson feel about the mini series was he happy with the results. Quite often they sway away from the book for ratings or dramatics. I have seen Mr Swanson twice at Fords Theater on the anniversary date April 14th. He has always been nice to chat with. Vinnie L
I wish the movie would have remained faithful to the actual history, but I’ll certainly watch it.
It is always difficult to take actual history and provide a completely honest recreation of it on the screen. It seems that accuracy gives way to sensational recreation every time. It will be interesting to see how they handle the Booth-Herold bivouac in the woods. At any rate, my curiosity is ready to see what they make of it all!
I am so thankful for your knowledge and comments! It’s important to separate truth from fiction. Movies are notorious for distorting or illuminating facts to enhance dramatic effects. I am passionate about accuracy and look forward to your comments as this mini series plays out. I recently bought the book and would love to know if you think the book is more accurate. Have you considered writing a book about Booth, the conspirators, the assignation and events surrounding this days? I would be the first in line to buy it.
You are very kind, Alice. I’m glad you find my random thoughts interesting.
Manhunt is a good introduction into the assassination story. Personally, it’s not my favorite book on the subject, but I won’t deny its strength at capturing the attention of a general audience. For people like me who are looking for more detail, my favorite book on the subject is American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln Murder Conspiracies by Michael Kauffman. I’ve made it no secret that I’m a big fan of Mr. Kauffman’s research and work. Whenever people ask me when I’m writing a book on the assassination, I always tell them that I could never surpass American Brutus and direct them to it.
I’m looking forward to watching it, as the Apple TV+ series are usually very well done. I hope some of the liberties taken aren’t too disappointing. It appears they show Booth without his famous mustache while he’s a fugitive, which is a nice detail, but I have a hard time seeing Stanton without his famous beard, which he probably had when he emerged from the womb 😉
Same on the beardless Stanton, Rebecca. I can’t say I’m ever going to really get used to it. However, I understand that 95% of the people who will watch this have no idea what Stanton looked like so I guess I can understand the producers not wanting to cover up the lead actor’s handsome face with a long skunk beard.
I’ve been waiting for this production for years. My first reaction is one of disappointment, so much so that the brief AppleTV subscription I purchased specifically for Manhunt and Masters of the Air (also disappointing, in my opinion) may be dropped before Manhunt even airs. Sad.
I hope you don’t give up on it before it even airs, Dave. All dramatic productions will have historical inaccuracies. It’s why everything is “based on a true story.” There are issues with this, certainly, but so far most have been small details. The only truly regrettable dramatic liberties I’ve seen have been the anachronistic Mary Simms and the gun-toting Oswell Swan. These characterizations will cause misinformation, which is a shame. But I’m not willing to throw out the whole miniseries based on this. For good or for bad, I’m going to give it a chance and see where it wants to take me.
Of course, Hollywood must take liberties for a variety of reasons. How many times have we seen that in practice? I’ll probably stick it out, Dave. I have such admiration for the book and have visual pictures in my mind from multiple readings (it even accompanied me on my three-day traverse of the escape route). But I’m sorely disappointed, even though based only on the trailer.
Thanks, Dave. I’m so looking forward to the series and despite the historic liberties, the trailer looks like it has high quality production value and excellent casting.
I definitely agreed, Joanne. It’s great to see this event portrayed with a sizable budget and with a good looking cast to boot. While I know I’ll fixate on the tiny historical issues, it’s still great to see this fascinating event in history on the big/small screen.
How could they not get the presidents box correct, disappointed that something
like that showing Major Rathbone not where he really was.Just found your website, grew up in Maryland, been to all the places, still fascinated 60 years later as I was a kid. Will get the book you recommended and enjoy all of your videos and hope to take the tour and hear you speak this summer,keep up the great work,David Boylan
Stanton is Edmure Tully from Game of Thrones! Apparently he is also in The Crown, but I haven’t made it that far yet. I’m excited to watch it with you. Music and cinematography look awesome so far, and it has a great cast.
I’m waiting with great anticipation, but tempered great anticipation as I don’t want to be too upset or disappointed if it goes off the rails.
I think you have a perfect mindset, Dennis. I’m going into this with the same view.
One of my all time favorite books, one I have looked foward to re-reading. It is disappointing that the inaccuracies exist, some minor, some not so much- Stanton without a beard, incorrect quote, layout of President’s box- but still very much looking foward to the series. Thank you so much for your details in this and previous post and your continuing excellent work.
I’m with you, Bill. Even with the mistakes, I’m still very much looking forward to the series.
I hope you enjoy the series. I’m impressed you were able to catch me in such a quick shot. Corbett was a really interesting character to play. I’ll be tuning in along with everyone else on the 15th.
Thanks for commenting, Mark! I’m excited to see your performance as Boston Corbett.
I just sent you an email seeing if you might be up for a possible interview sometime. I’d love to hear more about your experiences filming Manhunt and Lincoln’s Last Days.
Sincerely,
Dave
After watching the first two episodes, it says it all that there is no Historic Advisor listed among the credits. I’m sure few people care or would know that Booth shoots Lincoln on the wrong side of the head but would love to know the reasoning to have John Surratt come back to Maryland to visit Dr. Mudd after the assassination.
At least Ed Steers and Mike Kauffman didn’t have their books tarnished with such a bad screenplay.