Started By
Message

'Death by Lightning' - new Netflix Miniseries

Posted on 11/7/25 at 11:31 am
Posted by Ping Pong
LSU and UVA alum
Member since Aug 2014
5910 posts
Posted on 11/7/25 at 11:31 am

Any fellow history nerds watch the new Netflix miniseries, Death by Lightning, based on the assassination of President Garfield?

I'm happy to see a film produced that highlights a lesser known president and tragedy in American History, as most are only aware of the presidential assassinations of Lincoln and JFK. (McKinley deserves a miniseries too)

I've watched the first episode, and cant say I've seen any historical inaccuracies. However, there is certainly an added level of dramatization.

The quality of this miniseries will be heavily reliant on the actor portraying Charles Guiteau (the assassin), and I cant say I'm currently impressed by the acting through the first episode. However, the script does well at portraying Guiteau as the lunatic he was. The first episode provides an entertaining production of the 1880 Republican Convention with fantastic acting by Michael Shannon as James Garfield, and by Shea Whigham as Roscoe Conkling. Nick Offerman's role as future president Chester Arthur is minimal in the first episode, but I expect he will do well.

POSSIBLE SPOLIER: I'm excited to see if the final episode depicts the famous story of how Alexander Graham Bell invented the metal detector in attempt to help doctors locate the bullet inside Garfield. Bell's device failed to assist doctors, but not because it didn't work, but because the president rested upon a spring coiled mattress (a new invention), that perceived the metal detector to be faulty. This was not known until after Garfield's death.
Posted by Funky Tide 8
Bayou Chico
Member since Feb 2009
55727 posts
Posted on 11/7/25 at 3:47 pm to
Great cast. I can't see how this will be anything short of really good.
Posted by MasterKnight
Louisiana
Member since Jan 2016
2271 posts
Posted on 11/8/25 at 1:42 am to
I watched the whole series (only 4 episodes). It was fantastic. I think there was a little dramatic effect added in some spots but it seemed to be historically accurate.

I thought both Macfadyen and Shannon did a superb job. Offerman was wonderful. Whigham and Whitford were a fantastic addition to the cast as well. Lot of things I learned about Garfield from this. I do enjoy a good historical show (movie/documentary/series) especially with a political aspect.

Episodes are not long with the exception of the last episode. Last episode is maybe 20 mins longer than the others.
Posted by Adajax
Member since Nov 2015
8033 posts
Posted on 11/8/25 at 12:51 pm to
I just finished Canace Millard's excellent biography of Garfield. I saw this series just this morning and watched the first episode. While reading the biography I kept thinking this would make a great film.
Posted by dickkellog
little rock
Member since Dec 2024
1676 posts
Posted on 11/8/25 at 4:33 pm to
started it friday morning watched it strait through it was fantastic.
Posted by MasterKnight
Louisiana
Member since Jan 2016
2271 posts
Posted on 11/8/25 at 10:44 pm to
It was well done. I think the casting was spot on. It was a good mix of both Garfield and Guiteau storylines.
Posted by flvelo12
Palm Harbor, Florida
Member since Jan 2012
3529 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 8:48 am to
The Republican Convention story was fascinating. Enjoying the hell out of it so far. Shannon is excellent, as usual.
Posted by GasMan
north Mississippi
Member since Sep 2003
1392 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 11:05 am to
I'd read the book and it is outstanding. The biographical portrayals of Garfield and Guiteau were very interesting. The descriptions of the suffering Garfield endured at the hands of his quack doctors were quite moving.

I'm never sure about watching a movie/series based on a book I really enjoyed but I thought this was pretty dang good. I thought the whole cast did a great job.
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
72938 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 11:10 am to
Interesting in how little Garfield craved power.
I watched the first two and it's well done. I now little about Garfield because he was only ptesident a few months. I like Arthur and the supporting cast.
Posted by pbro62
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2016
15139 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 5:48 pm to
It’s excellent and informative for certain.
Posted by Cosmo
glassman's guest house
Member since Oct 2003
128521 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 6:41 pm to
quote:

Shannon


Always crushes it
Posted by ChargerDog91
Member since May 2012
4473 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 7:54 pm to
Enjoyed this! Binged it all Saturday morning before the games. Great cast and writing.
Posted by N0T SURE
Member since Dec 2023
1607 posts
Posted on 11/9/25 at 10:04 pm to
Hes one of those actors ill watch even if im not interested in the movie.
Posted by flvelo12
Palm Harbor, Florida
Member since Jan 2012
3529 posts
Posted on 11/10/25 at 10:16 am to
That was an awesome series. Now I want to read Millard's book!
Posted by hogfly
Fayetteville, AR
Member since May 2014
5053 posts
Posted on 11/10/25 at 11:01 am to
Wife and I started it last night. We really enjoyed the first episode. Really good acting. I also... embarassingly... knew almost nothing of Garfield. I'd always thought of him as an inconsequential and ineffective president (I think I conflated him with Taft), not as a tragic character who might have actually been a great leader for our country if he'd not been killed.
Posted by This GUN for HIRE
Member since May 2022
5438 posts
Posted on 11/10/25 at 2:57 pm to
quote:

who might have actually been a great leader for our country if he'd not been killed.


I believe this to be true. He went up against the big political machine & was killed for it.
Posted by MDB
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2019
3606 posts
Posted on 11/10/25 at 9:28 pm to
Some historians claim Garfield had the potential to be one of our top five presidents had he survived. Smart, charismatic and a leader.
Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
82723 posts
Posted on 11/10/25 at 9:30 pm to
quote:

as most are only aware of the presidential assassinations of Lincoln and JFK. (McKinley deserves a miniseries too)


It’s remarkable how nobody knows about Garfield and McKinley. I don’t know any details either.
When I hear Garfield I just think of the cat.
Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
82723 posts
Posted on 11/10/25 at 9:31 pm to
quote:

I'd always thought of him as an inconsequential and ineffective president (I think I conflated him with Taft)


Taft became a US Supreme Court justice. Not a bad resume for a fat guy
Posted by azcatiger
somewhere
Member since Mar 2011
5222 posts
Posted on 11/11/25 at 7:39 am to
Really liked it. I now want to read a book about Garfield because I had no idea about him.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 2Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram