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Summary: "I would like to cross the River"
Review: Captures the defining moment when human spirit and hope take over when all seems lost and pointless. This movie gets four stars from me just for this line. All in all pretty rushed. Should have been a full length motion picture. See it.
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Summary: The Crossing is a must see!
Review: During the winter of 1776 members of the Continental Congress abandon Philadelphia and run for their lives as the American Revolution begins to unravel. The Continental Army has lost every battle in defence of its positions, and has never dared to attack the enemy. Now, a american general who is considered to be a buffoon by the British, and ineffective by many of his own officers, is about to lead a ragtag army of 2000 tired, hungry and sick men across an ice-filled river at night to attack the best trained and most feared soldiers in the world. Pulp fiction? Historical fact??This little gem captures the essence of what many military historians believe to be the most daring battle strategy ever undertaken.
All the cast members deliver solid and convincing performances, especially Jeff Daniels as the brooding and short-tempered George Washington. Although, a couple of the scenes do contain minor historical flaws, even the purist cannot question the overall accuracy of the events unfolding. The sets, period costumes, and battle scenes are accurate even if some of the fight sequences are a bit exaggerated. Robert Harmon's direction is tight, and the photography by Rene Ohashi makes you feel that you are actually there. Gary Chang's music is also very effective in setting the mood for this non-epic film.
This movie is not your typical adulterated hollywood production that plays foot-loose with the facts. It stays on it's historical course as it tells the story of a near-miraculous event that was to become the turning-point of the American Revolution.
The Crossing is a must see for anyone who enjoys historically accurate entertainment.
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Summary: America's history of tenacity and unselfishness
Review: Every American should see this film. They should see, in the dramatic way that a video makes possible , the sacrifices that these earlier people made to give us a free country. I have often marvelled at the patience and tenacity of Washington through those 7 long years of war. This film emphasizes his tenacity and just plain "toughness." It also gives us a picture of those few common soldiers who stayed with him through bitter defeat and privation while the majority deserted or otherwise disappeared. These few made the great difference. And among these few were fewer still the fishermen from Marblehead who saved the Army in New York making possible the escape march to Valley Forge. This same close-knit group of men made the difference again at The Crossing. They knew how to handle boats actually making the crossing possible. As you watch the film listen especially carefully to the conversations between General Washington (Jeff Daniels) and Col. John Glover (Sebastian Roche). Col. Glover is the feisty, outspoken officer who often disagrees but who knows how to take orders. He commanded the Marblehead fishermen without whom Valley Forge and the Crossing would never have taken place. If you are interested get Howard Fast's "The Unvanguished." This book tells the story of the Marblehead fisherman in New York in detail. Fast wrote The Crossing including this film script. With Fast's earlier New York battle background you will understand how the Army got into such a desperate situation and Washington's relationship and conversations with Glover in this movie will make all the more sense. . The acting is good to very good. The script is very good. The story moves along well. The settings are realistic and well done. This is no sacrifice. It is real entertainment. But it could inspire you to a little sacrifice for your country should the need arises.
Rating:
Summary: America's history of tenacity and unselfishness
Review: Every American should see this film. They should see, in the dramatic way that a video makes possible , the sacrifices that these earlier people made to give us a free country. I have often marvelled at the patience and tenacity of Washington through those 7 long years of war. This film emphasizes his tenacity and just plain "toughness." It also gives us a picture of those few common soldiers who stayed with him through bitter defeat and privation while the majority deserted or otherwise disappeared. These few made the great difference. And among these few were fewer still the fishermen from Marblehead who saved the Army in New York making possible the escape march to Valley Forge. This same close-knit group of men made the difference again at The Crossing. They knew how to handle boats actually making the crossing possible. As you watch the film listen especially carefully to the conversations between General Washington (Jeff Daniels) and Col. John Glover (Sebastian Roche). Col. Glover is the feisty, outspoken officer who often disagrees but who knows how to take orders. He commanded the Marblehead fishermen without whom Valley Forge and the Crossing would never have taken place. If you are interested get Howard Fast's "The Unvanguished." This book tells the story of the Marblehead fisherman in New York in detail. Fast wrote The Crossing including this film script. With Fast's earlier New York battle background you will understand how the Army got into such a desperate situation and Washington's relationship and conversations with Glover in this movie will make all the more sense. . The acting is good to very good. The script is very good. The story moves along well. The settings are realistic and well done. This is no sacrifice. It is real entertainment. But it could inspire you to a little sacrifice for your country should the need arises.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: Excellent, excellent movie! I have watched it over and over and enjoy it just as much each time. A&E movies are always well done and this is no exception! The DVD version, as usual, gives you more for your money with background, actor interviews, etc.
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Summary: Simply the Best Movie About the Revolution
Review: I can't praise this film enough. Brilliant!
Buy it now! Everything about it is perfect.
It will make you proud to be a human being, not just an American!
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Summary: Peter
Review: I love this movie! Except for the exploding shells I find it to be very believable and extremely enjoyable. The dialogue is interesting (Howard Fast's work) and the acting is good. The settings and props add to the authenticity. I noticed that the "making of" documentary shows that the movie was shot in widescreen. I am disappointed that the DVD did not have this version. I hope A&E or others will make more Rev. War movies like this one. Enjoy!!!
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Summary: A MUST SEE MOVIE
Review: I loved this movie. Jeff Daniels gave a brilliant depiction of a young General Washington. To truly succeed in our future, we must understand our past. This movie will enable you to have a glimpse of our country's humble beginnings.
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Summary: Hats Off to Jeff Daniels
Review: I often show "The Crossing" to my political science classes and invariably they are enthralled. It is an intriguing, almost shocking film. The most striking surprise is that Jeff Daniels pulls off a portrayal of the great Washington with humanism, determinism, unparalleled leadership, mixed with a little testiness and bawdiness - in sum, a man with flaws who took his life and his mission seriously, while winning the loyalty of his rag tag troops.
Washington was somewhat wooden, which Daniels again plays well, because he took every aspect of his life with dead seriousness and a clear vision of the nation he almost single-handedly created. Present at the creation of the new nation, commander in chief, he rallied his men at the battle of Trenton in December 1776, the subject of this film, avenging his early loss of New York City.
The inaccuracies in the film are of little consequence since its essence is Washington. His audacious crossing of the treacherous Delaware on Christmas eve in the depth of night, completely surprising battle-hardened, but hung-over Hessians, helped turned the tide of the war at a time when America's victory teetered on disaster. Daniels creates a man, not a myth, giving him just the right amount of stiffness and caring for his men, and a determination that would win the very long war.
James Kidnie as the Hessian Colonel Rall is the perfect foil to Washington. As the attack rages, he meticulously dresses himself and then panics at the American onslaught, hardly believing his eyes. Director Harmon's pacing is plodding at times, but the crossing itself is full of suspense, the battle scenes more than passably exciting. The cinematography and supporting cast are adequate. But the star of this film is Daniels. In sum, a fine A&E production well worth seeing.
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Summary: The best made for TV historical reenactment/drama of 2000!
Review: I saw this version of the pivotal Revolutionary War Delaware river crossing earlier this year on A&E and then bought it myself. Jeff Daniels as General George Washington, and the rest of the cast, did an excellent job as did the writers in giving exceptional personality to all the characters portrayed within 90 minutes of movie. Being from DE/PA/NJ I was first engrossed by looking for powerlines and modern artifacts that might have been unseen in the backgrounds. By the third time I saw the film I was overly impressed by all the skill from all involved in 'The Crossing'. Perhaps the only negatives are the lack of far shots (due to limitations at the historic sites) and the fairly ridiculous lingering and overacting on the Hessians who die at the end. Perhaps the most 'Hollywood' influence was seen in the sequences with cannon fire blowing Hessians into the air while they are clearly hoisted via wire. Quite a good film, despite some of the minor stylistic flaws. Glover, Mercer, Knox, and the rest of the Intercontinental Army become tangible dimensional characters due to great writing and acting. I highly recommend 'The Crossing' for lovers of historical drama, war films, and plain good stuff.
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