While Steven Spielberg recently gave us a look at specific time in the life of Abraham Lincoln, a new drama premiering at Sundance will take on wider breadth, but during a much earlier period. The Better Angels, produced by Terrence Malick and directed by To the Wonder editor A.J. Edwards, focuses on a three-year span in the upbringing of The Great Emancipator.
Shot in black-and-white, the supporting cast is filled out by Jason Clarke, Diane Kruger, Brit Marling, and Wes Bentley, and following our exclusive premiere of the teaser trailer, we now have the first four clips. It’s striking footage and certainly increases our already high anticipation. Featuring an original score by Hanan Townshend (Knight of Cups, To the Wonder) and led by newcomer Braydon Denney, check out the clips below, and return for our review from Park City.
Set in the early 1800’s and spanning nearly three years in the stark wilderness of Indiana, THE BETTER ANGELS tells of the boyhood hardships that shaped Abraham Lincoln, the tragedy that marked him forever and the two women who guided him to immortality. Written and directed by the Austin-based Edwards, the film employs a narrative poetry and stunning black-and-white cinematography to express the world of young Abe and his family, creating a portrait both spare and tender.
The Better Angels premieres on January 18th at Sundance 2014.