The Crossing (2000 film)

The Crossing

DVD cover
Directed by Robert Harmon
Produced by David Coatsworth
Screenplay by Howard Fast
Based on The Crossing 
by Howard Fast
Starring Jeff Daniels
Roger Rees
Sebastian Roché
Steven McCarthy
Music by Gary Chang
Cinematography Rene Ohashi
Editing by Zach Staenberg
Production company Chris/Rose Productions
Columbia TriStar Television
A&E Television Networks
Country United States
Language English
Original channel A&E (US)
Release date
  • January 10, 2000 (USA)
Running time 89 min.

The Crossing is a 2000 historical TV film about George Washington crossing the Delaware River and the Battle of Trenton, directed by Robert Harmon. Based on the novel of the same name by Howard Fast, it stars Jeff Daniels as George Washington. Also appearing in the film are Roger Rees as Hugh Mercer, Sebastian Roche as John Glover and Steven McCarthy as Alexander Hamilton.

Plot summary

The film opens with the retreat of the Continental Army across New Jersey during the American Revolutionary War, after repeated losses and defeats during the campaign of 1776.

After the army narrowly escapes across the river to the Pennsylvania shore, Washington meets with his officers. In the past six months, they have lost New York City, been chased through New Jersey by the British, and 90% of their troops have either been killed, taken prisoner, or have deserted. With the only boats of any use in their hands, the army has a reprieve until the river freezes, and they must retreat again, leaving Philadelphia open for capture. Compounding their problems, Washington's closest friend General Hugh Mercer(a physician in civilain life), reminds them that their supplies of food, medicine, ammunition, and winter clothing is dangerously low. Realizing that something must be done or the Revolution will collapse, Washington conceives a plan to cross the river and conduct a surprise attack on the Hessian garrison at Trenton The logistics make the plan appear all but impossible to Colonel John Glover, but due to his loyalty to Washington, he agrees to take the army across. Proposing this operation to his staff, General Gates scoffs at its possibility, going over the line by calling Washington insane and unfit for command. Furious, Washington dismisses Gates from the camp at gunpoint, ordering him into silence. The rest of the staff laughs, but Washington and Glover silence them with the lack of advantages they have. On Christmas night, the Hessians will be feasting and drinking, so the morning after, hopefully still in darkness, the Continentals must take the fight to them while sluggish and hung over. The officers have only a few days to select their brigades and weapons, and the soldiers, until it is time to cross, must be told no more than necessary.

Despite their own fatigue and the winter weather, Washington manages to lift his weary soldiers' spirits, allowing the army to cross the river on the night of December 25–26, 1776. The crossing is done in one night, allowing the troops to attack Trenton at eight o' clock on December 26, 1776, and gains a stunning victory, capturing almost all the Hessians to their own advantage.

Main cast

Awards

The Crossing won a Peabody Award for excellence in 2000.[1] Cinematographer Rene Ohashi also won the 2001 ASC Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movies of the Week/Mini-Series/Pilot",[2] and the film's sound team was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special"[2]

References

  1. ↑ 60th Annual Peabody Awards, May 2001.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 IMDb: Awards for The Crossing Retrieved 2013-04-27

External links