Folks unhappy with 'Lincoln' inaccuracy

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) -- It's a movie that's getting rave reviews but "Lincoln" might not be very accurate and some folks are not happy with how Connecticut's lawmakers were portrayed.

Just like January 1, 1863 bells rang in Norwich on this New Year's day for a recreation honoring the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

"It shows that this city was ahead of the curve back in 1863 and we're trying to do that now," said Dale Plummer.

Dale Plummer is the Norwich Historian. Like Congressman Joe Courtney he thoroughly enjoyed the film 'Lincoln' until it showed two of Connecticut's three U.S. representatives vote to uphold slavery.

"And of course I kind of winced at that myself," said Plummer.

The truth is all four Connecticut representatives voted to abolish it.

The city takes its ties to the 16th president so seriously that when someone came in to city hall and literally cut out a portrait of Lincoln from this frame back in 1994 the city later held a contest to have a local artist replicate that painting.

In an effort to correct the film's inaccuracy before it comes out on DVD,  Congressman Courtney writes director Steven Spielberg "I understand that artistic license will be taken but placing the State of Connecticut on the wrong side of the historic and divisive fight over slavery is an inaccuracy that should be acknowledged."

Plummer says the movie does show not everyone in the north was against slavery.

"Although it would be nice if we could get the actual Connecticut votes registered in the movie," said Plummer.

Courtney's office hasn't heard back from the director and neither have we.