Why is Martin Van Buren portrayed as the 'Homer Simpson' of the film?
Why? He wasnt as dumb as shown.
shareGood question. I don't know why they did this, either.
In reality Martin Van Buren was a very intelligent man, and at least competent as President. Also, Van Buren later ran for President on a 3rd-party free-soil ticket opposed to the expansion of slavery into the territories (if not slavery in total).
the Free-Soil party was very much an abolitionist party.
The movie botches things up by implying Van Buren was pro-slavery, although I don't believe in any time of the movie did he actually SAY anything that was explicitly pro-slavery -- instead, as a stereotype politician, he mainly doesn't want to be bothered with the issue or have it become a political liability.
Certainly Van Buren did not lose the election to William Henry Harrison because of some massive outpouring of abolitionist voters. Harrison was anti-slavery too, I believe.
In fact, the Supreme Court did not issue its Amistad decision until March 9, 1841, five days after Harrison took office (and 25 days before he died).
While Van Buren is not portrayed as "dumb" per se, he is certainly portrayed as a little oblivious and naive (as in when he reacts with surprise when he is told a new judge can be appointed to presumably deliver the trial verdict they want).
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4) You ever seen Superman $#$# his pants? Case closed.