An Evening with John Wilkes Booth

John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865) was notable on several accounts. He was a successful and wealthy actor, and member of a celebrated show business family (son of Junius Brutus Booth and brother to Edwin and Junius Jr.). One critic called him “the handsomest man in America.” Walt Whitman called him a genius. But this Booth would ultimately become known as the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. In An Evening with John Wilkes Booth, you’ll get to meet the man and learn what he thought and what motivated him: his rivalry with his more-celebrated brother Edwin (who was a Unionist); John’s love for the South, and his hated of Lincoln. You’ll hear of the initial failed plot to kidnap Lincoln, and of the subsequent plans to not only kill Lincoln but also other political and military figures as well. You’ll see what happened when Booth begins his flight from retribution after his bloody deed and observe the final outcome for Booth when his pursuers find him. Stephen Spiegel portrays Booth. Written by Lloyd J. Schwartz and Clinton Case. Directed by Lloyd J. Schwartz.