As far I know two movies reported this sadly event took place on April 14 1865 when Pres. Lincoln was deadly shot at Ford Theatre, THE PRISIONER OF SHARK ISLAND and THE ORDEAL OF DR. MUDD which I'm been referring in my review, both implied Dr. Samuel Mudd (Dennis Weaver) is not guilty over a possible involvement in the plot carried out by John Wilkes Booth, as exposed in the picture he claimed just made his duty as Doctor, when he provides medical assistance on late night of two outsiders among them a wounded broken leg killer without noticed.
Later when John Wilkes Booth was found died, Dr. Mudd status changes a simply witness to conspiracy, indicted by the secretary of war Edwin Stanton (Richard Dysart), lead on military trial has been defended by Gen. Thomas Ewing (Arthur Hill), finally was found guilty and was sentenced by life imprisonment at military prison Fort Jackson in Dry Tortuga islands in golf of Mexico at Florida, staying there and forthcoming years he fiercely struggles against the lethal yellow fever, given the pardon from Pres. Johnson by toughness work of his devoted wife Frances Mudd (Susan Sullivan), backing at home.
According several sources this movie wasn't accurate whatsoever, many pivotal things were concealed on the screenplay, firstly Dr. Mudd didn't explained why he postponed that he had treated Wilkes's leg to the local Army, he also forgot to mentioned his previous meeting with Wilkes on Christmas at Washington, later he alleged it due Wilkes was planning buy part of his farm, sounds contradictory at least.
Worst the ordeal wasn't centered on Dr. Mudd case only, he was in trial among several conspirators and treated as such, not individually as the movie displayed, other key info, Dr. Mudd was pardoned, although never overturned as in the final credits states, the producers wrongly granted that Pres. Carter gave it, whilst it was really concerned by many US's Presidents it never was given, actually this movie wanted the re-write the real events, by this downgrading by itself.
Thanks for reading.
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First watch: 1984 / How many: 3 / Source: TV-Youtube / Rating: 7.
