A 1915 movie about the life of Abraham Lincoln, previously thought lost forever, was found on Long Island. “The Heart of Lincoln,” released by Universal, is a silent film about American life during the Civil War.

A 1915 silent film about Abraham Lincoln was thought to be lost forever before being found in a warehouse on New York's Long Island.

A copy of "The Heart of Lincoln," a 1915 film thought to be lost forever, was found by an intern sifting through donated reels at a New York film archive. WNBC's Greg Cergol reports.

The film, discovered last summer in a basement archive, sheds light on early 20th century depictions of the Civil War and the revered 16th president, whose birthday is Feb. 12.

The 16mm film is believed to be the only known surviving copy of "The Heart of Lincoln," a silent movie about the life of President Abraham Lincoln.