Lincoln's Watch recorded for Spielberg film

[TymerDC]

Hello everyone.....just read this on my NAWCC newsletter and thought it might be interesting to some here:
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ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S ACTUAL WATCH
RECORDED FOR NEW LINCOLN FILM
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Photo: KHS​

"I heard the actual pocket watch existed," director Steven Spielberg said in a recent interview, "and I wanted to know whether they'd let us wind it and record it. I didn't know if they would, but they did. I thought that was very important. So, every time you hear that little ticking in the story, that's Abraham Lincoln's actual pocket watch."

Ben Burtt, the Academy Award-winning sound designer best known for inventing the sound of the light saber in Star Wars, knew that one of Lincoln's pocket watches was in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, but it couldn't be used because of a scheduling conflict. Further searching revealed the existence of another watch that had belonged to Lincoln at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort, KY-said to be the very watch carried by Lincoln the night he was assassinated. Inherited by Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln, the watch was donated to the Kentucky Historical Society in 2002 and remains on public display there.

Conservators at the Kentucky Historical Society agreed to carefully wind the watch for the film's sound technician. A dozen takes were recorded to ensure that perfect sound sample was captured. Coincidentally, when the watch eventually wound down and stopped, it indicated 10:25-the same time historical accounts report assassin John Wilkes Booth entered Lincoln's private box at Ford's Theater.

Burtt also recorded other famous sounds for the film, including some inside the White House. "The thing we were there for was the clock on the mantel in Lincoln's executive office," Burtt said. "The clock is still there. It is a French clock purchased during Andrew Jackson's administration." The sound of the clock "is used in the movie in many scenes in Lincoln's office," he said.

The authenticity of the sounds adds to the movie's drama. As the tension rises, Lincoln's watch can be heard clearly ticking away history, counting down to his final rendezvous with fate.

 

[EyeofSauron]

yeah, im sure the viewers will get a totally different feeling of the movie because they used lincolns watch ticking and not some random watch. because it sounds totally different.

dont get me wrong, its a neat idea. just very pointless, and probably expensive

 

[iMan]

I think it is a neat and little subtle aspect to add to the movie. I love Spielberg and knowing how much effort he puts into his movies, make me enjoy them so much more.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

yeah, im sure the viewers will get a totally different feeling of the movie because they used lincolns watch ticking and not some random watch. because it sounds totally different.

dont get me wrong, its a neat idea. just very pointless, and probably expensive

:behave

I think that kind of attention is appreciated by some viewers and pointless or not shows a care for craft.

Kind of like the woodworker who spend loads of time perfecting a part that nobody will ever see.

 

[BornKilr]

dont get me wrong, its a neat idea. just very pointless, and probably expensive

I have to agree. Its not like anyone has ever heard Lincoln's watch and can say "Hey, THAT"S IT!" Sometimes being artsy can be taken to ridiculous extremes.

 

[Feraud]

I think that kind of attention is appreciated by some viewers and pointless or not shows a care for craft.

Kind of like the woodworker who spend loads of time perfecting a part that nobody will ever see.

Yes. It's the detail of a true craftsman/artist. :thumbsup

 

[Moviefreak]

Just knowing this will make me appreciate the movie a little but more. I love that they did this and even though it was pointless, it is a great attention to detail.

 

[Nexus6]

Just knowing this will make me appreciate the movie a little but more. I love that they did this and even though it was pointless, it is a great attention to detail.

^Agreed.^

 

[AJK001]

I find it kind of funny that on a Prop Replica board where some members go to great lengths to find the exact bolt or nut used to build a movie prop, that some members have a problem with Spielberg using Lincoln's real watch for the sound.

 

[Moviefreak]

I find it kind of funny that on a Prop Replica board where some members go to great lengths to find the exact bolt or nut used to build a movie prop, that some members have a problem with Spielberg using Lincoln's real watch for the sound.

:thumbsup best statement today
So true!!!!!

 

[Jeyl]

And how more expensive could it be? I love it when movie makers honor things like this, because the honor is in the 'details'.

 

[BornKilr]

I find it kind of funny that on a Prop Replica board where some members go to great lengths to find the exact bolt or nut used to build a movie prop, that some members have a problem with Spielberg using Lincoln's real watch for the sound.

Not to start an argument about something so trivial, but the difference in that is, a LOT of people would be able to tell if an exact bolt or nut was or wasn't used. But I guarantee that no one would be able to tell that it was or wasn't Lincoln's actual watch sounds, especially in the context of a movie, because only a handful of people have ever heard that watch run.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Not to start an argument about something so trivial, but the difference in that is, a LOT of people would be able to tell if an exact bolt or nut was or wasn't used. But I guarantee that no one would be able to tell that it was or wasn't Lincoln's actual watch sounds, especially in the context of a movie, because only a handful of people have ever heard that watch run.

Reminds me of when GL said that nobody could tell the difference between the jackets Indy wears in each film...

There are enthusiasts who know exactly how that watch should sound.

All that said. I guarantee it didn't cost them any more than recording any other vintage watch. I'm sure the museum was happy to accommodate them free of charge.

 

[Amish Trooper]

Knowing that they went to such lengths just makes me appreciate it more. From what I gather the ticking if the watch is important in the movie. Why not get the read deal?

 

[Moviefreak]

Knowing that they went to such lengths just makes me appreciate it more. From what I gather the ticking if the watch is important in the movie. Why not get the read deal?

Agreed!! Knowing this was THE watch he was wearing the night he was assassinated brings an eerie but amazing feeling to it. When I watch this film now, there will be a connection as if Lincoln himself is a part of the production... No stupid bolt on s lightsaber could create that sense.
Plus the movie is about the days leading up to that fateful night. The ticking of the actual watch is great foreshadowing to the event that is about to happen, especially when that watch was there. Freaking cool as hell!!

 

[Feraud]

I guarantee it didn't cost them any more than recording any other vintage watch. I'm sure the museum was happy to accommodate them free of charge.

Agreed. Assuming the watch is in working order I don't see an issue with winding it up for a recording. The museum was probably thrilled to have Spielberg & Co. show an interest in the piece. It also seems like decent bit of publicity for the museum too. Everyone wins.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

And now the museum may have the recording of the watch too.

 

[outlander]

Not to start an argument about something so trivial, but the difference in that is, a LOT of people would be able to tell if an exact bolt or nut was or wasn't used. But I guarantee that no one would be able to tell that it was or wasn't Lincoln's actual watch sounds, especially in the context of a movie, because only a handful of people have ever heard that watch run.

I think that makes the film all the more interesting knowing that Spielberg went to those lengths for historical accuracy. Every time I hear those noises I will feel a little thrill knowing that is EXACTLY what it sounded like. I've visited Ford's Theater in D.C. stood in the box and I've seen the chair he was sitting in at Greenfield Village but I've never heard the sound of Lincoln's pocketwatch.

EyeofSauron: I'm not trying to rub you the wrong way, but it takes pretty large meatballs to critcize a film maker who has made BILLIONS of dollars with his movies on how he goes about developing them. My God, man; they build theme park rides over this man's movies.

I salute your boldness and self-confidence, Sir.

 

[Wes R]

It's a neat idea but I have no doubt he'll have this movie be nothing but a pro Lincoln butt kissing fest and not show the man's darker and more questionable choices.

 

[Moviefreak]

It's a neat idea but I have no doubt he'll have this movie be nothing but a pro Lincoln butt kissing fest and not show the man's darker and more questionable choices.

He was a politician... They ALL had darker sides and made questionable choices.

But don't say anything else negative... Or positive as this thread will get locked for going into politics