Mary Surratt Conspiracy?

[DGM]

Robert Redford's latest movie, "The Conspirator," stars James MacAvoy and Robin Wright and tackles an overlooked footnote of American history: the case of Mary Surratt, the first woman ever executed by the federal government.


"The story was about this man having to defend this woman he didn't want to defend, who went from not wanting to have anything to do with it to totally believing that this was an unjust situation. That to me is what the film's about," said Redford.

The lengths to which the government went to ensure a conviction were, even in this post-9/11 world, shocking. There were patently partial judges at the tribunal, flagrant jury tampering, and ultimately a presidential directive.

http://blog.movies.yahoo.com/blog/495-redford-talks-about-the-conspirator


I don't remember reading anything about this "conspiracy". A quick search of the forum came up with nothing.

If anything it looks to be an interesting movie (opening April 5).

 

[Gypseagirl]

It sounds like an interesting movie.

 

[SpitfireIX]

Erm, I'm not sure this belongs in "Conspiracy Theories." The issue is whether (and to what extent) Mary Surratt was involved in the well-established conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, and whether there was a rush to judgment in the post-assassination hysteria.

 

[dudalb]

Yeah, not a conspriaty or even anything new, since the execution of Mary Surrat was controversial at the time and has been a major debate ever since.
The best evidence indicates she might well have known about the plot, but had no role in planning it.

 

[DGM]

Erm, I'm not sure this belongs in "Conspiracy Theories." The issue is whether (and to what extent) Mary Surratt was involved in the well-established conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, and whether there was a rush to judgment in the post-assassination hysteria.

I agree (explaining the question mark in the OP title). I remember the name from American history (a few years back ) but never remember it used in the context of a "conspiracy" as the film (I assume) suggests.

I suppose I'll have to wait for the movie.

 

[headscratcher4]

However, she did at the very least seem to have aided and abetted after the fact in some effort to hide Lewis Powell and to plead ignorance of knowing the conspirators who had met in her house. Not sure she should have been executed. The process was abusive. At the same time, there is really little doubt that the men executed were involved in a conspiracy and took steps to carry it out...in short they were guilty. She was no innocent, but how much she knew or contributed is debateable...I don't think you can say the same for the others. Even Dr. Mudd who is generally held up as a victim of process abuse and not guilty, had some interesting relationships with the conspirators before Booth showed up on his door....so, I guess what I'm saying is that we should fell concern over the abuse of process in a rush to judgement, but there isn't much doubt that many if not all of those convicted were guilty in some form or fashion, IMO.

I particularly liked Blood on the Moon by Steers, Manhunt by Swanson and Chasing Lincoln's Killer also by Swanson.

As an aside, my office window looks down on the ally behind Ford's theater where Booth and Harold made their gettaway after Booth shot Lincoln.

 

[dudalb]

Blood On THe Moon is the best single book on the Lincoln Assination.
Yeah, the idea of Dr Mudd as a innocent doctor who was imprisoned for keeping the Hippocratic oath has been blown to shreds.