Product Description

Jeff Daniels (Pleasantville, Terms of Endearment) stars as the American patriot who led a ragtag band of farmers and shopkeepers to victory over the world's greatest military power in this sweeping A&E original production. December 17, 1776. Hounded by superior British forces, his army decimated by disease, desertion and lack of funds, General George Washington faces the unthinkable: he is losing the war for American independence. A week later, on Christmas Eve, Washington will embark on one of the most profound gambles in military history. Staking everything on a fantastically risky surprise attack against a garrison of battle-hardened Hessian mercenaries, Washington sets out across the ice-choked Delaware River -- into a desperate confrontation in which his career, his life and the American Revolution itself all hang in the balance concluding into one of the greatest victories of all time.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1494 in VHS
• Released on: 2000-02-29
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 100 minutes

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Washington and the Battle of Trenton
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.

A well acted and accurate accounting of the historical event
In the last 10 years or so, Hollywood and cable TV has finally started to get it right when they make movies (Widescreen or TV) about historical events, and The Crossing is no exception.

This is a well acted account of one of the major events of the War of Independence. Jeff Daniels portrays a superb George Washington, who was at times very impatient and hot tempered. History seems to gloss over the imperfections and vulnerabilities of our nations beloved figures, however this movie shows Washington to be flawed and tired at times like the rest of his army was.

The uniforms,locations, and camp life were accurate as well as the filth and harsh existence the Continental Army had to go through. The movie did an excellent job of trying to film the famous battle, which definitely caught the Hessians by suprise.

Overall, a well acted, accurately portrayed Revolutionary War movie.

A History Must See!
A&E's The Crossing, starring Jeff Daniels as General George Washington, is one of the best historical productions I have ever seen. The movie tells of General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River to attack the Hessians in Trenton, New Jersey on December 25th, 1776. This is a very important story for Americans to know. The American War of Independence was almost lost by the end of 1776. In The Crossing, Jeff Daniels with an excellent supporting cast, recreates that period of an American cause in dire straits. General Washington and his men with pure tenacity, win a critical battle that saved the American army from disintergration. The acting, atmosphere and music make this production inspirational and top notch.
One of the best historical presentations you will see!