Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not Great
Review: Overall, I would definitely recommend this film to anyone who has an interest in American history. Nevertheless, a few of the liberties taken with the characters and historical inaccuracies are too much to warrant a 5-star rating.Here are just three examples: 1. Washington's Language - Although Jeff Daniels's portrayal of Washington as a hot-tempered, foul-mouthed, flawed hero appeals to our modern cynicism and desire to debunk the myths behind our heroes, there are some serious questions as to the film's accuracy on this front. George Washington did have a volcanic temper, but he had learned to control it - and that was part of the strength of his character. The movie depicts him as being almost constantly frustrated and bordering on an outburst. This does not reflect the truth as can be evidenced by the reaction many of Washington's subordinates had on those RARE occasions when Washington did lose his cool. Were he as temperamental as Daniels portrays him, the outbursts Washington DID have wouldn't have been as significant to those around him as they were. In addition, the language attributed to Washington in this film is in direct contrast with Washington's own orders against cursing. I don't question the fact that a few words may have slipped now and then, but it's very inconsistent with the historical record to portray Washington as foul-mouthed as this film does. 2. Alexander Hamilton was not Washington's aide at the Battle of Trenton. He was an artillery captain. He did not come into Washington's service until later. 3. The exchange between Horatio Gates and Washington was clearly overblown for dramatic effect. It's no secret that the two didn't like each other, but there's no evidence to support the film's contention that Washington threatened to have Gates shot. I don't want my criticisms to make it seem like the movie had no merit. Howard Fast and the film's production team do an outstanding job in showing just how desperate the American situation was prior to Trenton. For this alone, the movie is well worth watching.
Rating: 
Summary: Close to home!!
Review: Since I live about 2 miles from Washington Crossing, PA I truly loved this film. The casting was excellent - Jeff Bridges was perfect. There is so much history in the area where I live - each year they do an actual reenactment of Washington Crossing the Delaware with people dressed in authentic uniforms from that era. Any history buff will love this film - that's why I bought it after I saw it on TV.
Rating:
Summary: JEFF DANIELS DOES IT AGAIN !
Review: Superb movie, excellent casting ! Just as in Gettysburg, Jeff Daniels gives a magnificent performance. What impressed me the most however, was the realistic portrayal of just how close we came to never achieving independence ! A must see for all those interested in the American Revolution.
Rating:
Summary: Washington at his best!
Review: The Crossing is about a small action that became a pivotal point in the American Revolution, the American assault on German mercinary troops in Trenton, NJ. What struck me was not the audacity of Washington attacking in the dead of winter, but the cooperation of his subordinates that was need to even make this action remotely possible. This is an ensemble performance that centers around Washington but shows the synergistec effect that was needed to make the attack work. Jeff Daniels is excellent as Washington pulling his dispirited troops together for a decisive action. Washington was taking a great risk, maybe the biggest of his career; by making a winter attack. Armies of this time, rarely, if ever, fought in the winter and Washington was going against convention by doing so. He was also conducting an amphibious operation which is one of the hardest operations to perform in warfare. Here the cooperation of others was critical. If the men under Colonel John Glover were unable/unwilling to give their all, Washington might just as well have stayed in camp. No boats, no action about sums it up. Washington's troops could have muddled through and affected a crossing, but the element of surprise, I am sure would have been lost and no surprise meant a harder and more doubtful battle. This film abounds in small points. The depiction of the Pennsylvania German troops in Washington's command is well done. the state of mind of Washington's troops, ofter overlooked, is shown in great detail. The use of period sites also was a big plus in the making of this film. In all, I found this one of the best films about Washington's attack on Trenton and one that gives a new impression of the compexity in executing this battle. This film should be in the library of every person with an interst in early America.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a good movie
Review: The Crossing is really just not a good movie, but I still find it interesting because some of the movie was filmed quite close to where I live; the opening scene when Washington's bedraggled army is marching through a wooded area, and the camp scenes near the beginning of the movie. To say that the acting in this movie was good would be a slight over-statement, and the dialogue is not what one would call stellar. I would not be so certain about the accuracy of the movie either--few movies are. The general course of events may be faithfully adhered to, but no movie based on a historical event that I can think of has not taken liberty with the truth for one reason or another.
Rating: 
Summary: An excerpt from a research paper I once wrote on this movie.
Review: The movie gave the impression, that the American victory was due to the inability of the Hessians to assemble, as they were still asleep when the Continental Army arrived. This common misconception makes for an interesting story, but stretches the truth. The Hessians were able to assemble, despite the late arrival of their commander Colonel Rall. Unfortunately, for the Hessians, Colonel Rall had decided to keep his artillery around the headquarters during the holiday, rather than strategically placing each piece. Due to the positioning of the Hessian cannons, it provided little defense . This theme resonates in the film as the Hessian artillery captain repeatedly yells "wo sind die kanonen ?" Between artillery superiority and greater numbers, the Continentals were able to claim victory. The movie does show the Hessians surrendering to the Continental's overwhelming numbers and superior artillery force, but arrives at that scene after skirmishes in which the Hessians were unprepared . It seems as if Fast wanted to portray the battle as if it had happened more similar to Washington's design. Again, the decision to portray the battle in this way is to involve the audience, as they are led to believe that despite timing problems, Washington's strategy worked.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding film
Review: The music made this terriffic film perfect- it was just excellent. The dvd also contains a behind the scenes special feature -which was good but not great. Jeff Daniels is great as George Washington, and has an excellent supporting cast. I thought the acting and emotion were terrific in portraying what Washington went through.. his army was being crushed and they needed to cross the Delaware and regroup to save the revolution. Good filming- an excellent production.. This is one of my favorite films.
Rating: 
Summary: For entertainment only
Review: The only good thing about this, is Jeff Daniels. He is excellent in serious roles. Otherwise, it was quite inaccurate, historically. What about the other 2 attempted crossings? Where's the militia? Yes, there were American deaths. Madison was very seriously wounded. What about the ice in the river? Henry Knox character was portrayed poorly. And, on and on. At least, they didn't show drunk Hessians. What a relief! Watch it to enjoy Daniels, but ignore the rest.
Rating:
Summary: Well-done history lesson
Review: This is a made-for-TV movie produced by the A&E television network in 2001. It was adapted from a novel by Howard Fast and I assume it is historically accurate. It's about a defining moment in American history - that of George Washington crossing the Delaware River and attacking the well-trained German soldiers hired by the British, at Trenton, New Jersey. I recently visited a friend who lives in that area and walked across the bridge where George Washington made this historic crossing. Of course there was no bridge back in 1776 on that cold December day -- just the dark and the cold and an ice-filled river. The Continentals, which was what the Americans were called then, were losing the war. They had not won a battle since they declared independence six months before on July 4. The troops were weary and starving. It looked like the American Revolution was lost. But Washington took a huge risk, and in his own quiet and determined way, made a decision that changed the course of history. The scenes of the actual crossing were done in fog and shadow, as the boats moved towards the opposite shore. But there were no scenes that looked like the famous painting with Washington standing in the front of the boat. In this film, Washington was sitting throughout. Naturally, this made me re-think my own historical perceptions. Jeff Daniels is cast as Washington, and I found myself very critical of his performance. He seemed aloof and wooden and, even though there was constant danger, he never lost his cool, calm leadership abilities. I understand, though, that this is exactly the kind of person that George Washington was. If this is true, then he did portray him well. Basically, though, even though there was some conflict between the various generals as well as a bit of bawdy language and some violent scenes of swordplay, the film never rose above that of a history lesson, one shown in classrooms or while visiting museums. I tend to like my drama more complex though, and for that reason this film, while well done, has to be viewed for what it is. I therefore give it a modest recommendation. It's certainly worthwhile seeing.
Rating:
Summary: Washington and the Battle of Trenton
Review: This is a wonderfully done made-for-cable movie about George Washington and his famous victory at the Battle of Trenton in the winter of 1776. Starring Jeff Daniels as General Washington, this film brings an important episode in American history vividly to life. We see the broken remnants of the Continental army as it races to avoid capture following their defeats in New York. The British, close on the heels of the retreating rebels, have written the Americans off as being on the verge of total surrender. Washington, tired and beaten, realizes that he must make one last attempt to achieve victory or all hope for the revolution will be lost. Against the judgement of his officers, Washington prepares to launch a desperate offensive against a large force of Hessian troops occupying the town of Trenton, just across the Delaware River in New Jersey. The future of the new United States hangs in the balance as the rag-tag army bets all or nothing on this dangerous gamble. Well written and with money well-spent, The Crossing is a dramatic telling of this important moment in American history, and one that I would recommend to teachers, students, and history enthusiasts alike.
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