The Crossing | Jeff Daniels, Roger Rees | Beautifully done in all respects

The Crossing | Jeff Daniels, Roger Rees | Decent

DVDs:

The Crossing

	The Crossing Jeff Daniels, Roger Rees A&E Home Video, 2003 average customer review:based on 75 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Every American knows that George Washington crossed the icy Delaware River in the War of Independence, if only from Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze's famous 1851 painting. The made-for-cable-TV historical drama The Crossing, scripted by Howard Fast from his novel, corrects at least one piece of historical invention--Washington did not stand and pose for the occasion of Leutze's portrait--but, more importantly, it frames the event in the real-life drama that made it a decisive moment of American history. Jeff Daniels makes a fine General George Washington, the quiet, dignified, and increasingly desperate leader of the volunteer Continental Army. By December 1776, six months after the Declaration of Independence was signed, the tired and hungry army had retreated to the far banks of the Delaware River, a mere fraction of the original 20,000-strong force. Knowing that defeat means the end of the revolution, Washington takes the offensive in a dangerous surprise attack that turns the tide of the war. Like the sprawling Civil War epic Gettysburg, The Crossing takes one incident of the Revolutionary War and digs into the whys and wherefores that make it vital history. It lacks scope and spectacle--major battles appear more like modest skirmishes--and lapses into patriotic fervor at times, but it brims with rich historical detail and comes alive with the stories of officers, soldiers, and a very human George Washington. --Sean Axmaker

for more information click here

Beautifully done in all respects

This movie was well done on every level. Good script, believable acting, excellent editing, great direction. I really liked the way Jeff Daniels portrayed Washington -- strong, understated and always believable. This movie works on every level and absolutely makes you feel like you're "there". When a historical drama is able to make you feel transported back through time, it has succeeded.

Decent

I found this movie to be entertaining, but there were several inaccuaracies(although much better than the Patriot).

1. The Hessians were not drunk. It is a myth.

2. I doubt Washington would have used such language, it seems very, very unlike him.

3. No ice in the river, and they attaced in a nor easter, I did not see any snow.

4. Henry Knox is poorly portrayed and it was he who had overall command of the crossing, not Glover.

5.. There were 18 cannon in the battle on the american side.

6. Bayonets were not the only weapons used in the battle. There was a lot of gun fire. The Americans kept their muskets under their coats as they marched, to keep them dry. Occasionaly, the muskets would not fire, but for the most part they did.

7. They forget about Rall's to counter attacks back into Trenton where the real bood was shed.

8. The Americans suffered light casualties, granted they were very light, but less than 0.

9. The Hessian force numbered about 1,400 sometimes it is said they were 1,500 but it was no 1,200.

10. The other 3 groups that were crossing the Delaware to converge on Trenton are not mentioned at all.

11. Gates left the camp on his own. He and Washington did not have such a argument.

12. Hamilton did not join Washington's staff until 1777.

13. There were different types of uniforms for each state.

14. When Washington agreed to come to see Rall, he promised to treat Rall's soldiers fairly. He kept that promise, although that wa not always popular with his troops. He never responds to Rall in the movie.

15. When Washington is reluctant to come to see the dying Rall, he says something about Rall's regiment killing 500 men on Long Island. Couldn't have happened. Only about 300 Americans were killed on Long Island total.

That is all I can think of, now. Look at this, it is actually pretty good compared to some other movies. However, I have a bad habit of knowing too much about history and letting it get to me when watching films. This movie was decent, and if you don't know too much about the battle itself I would reccomend renting it.

for more information click here

crossed over the line

This movie was well made, but had too much swearing in it. I understand that they were soldiers, but George Washington was a Christian and would not have spoken with so many profane words. We were only interested in the historical content of the film, but would only watch it once.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

products you might be interested in