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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780767023764
Format: Color, NTSC
ISBN: 0767023765
Label: A & E Home Video
Manufacturer: A & E Home Video
Number Of Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: A & E Home Video
Release Date: February 29, 2000
Running Time: 89 minutes
Sales Rank: 12858
Studio: A & E Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: January 10, 2000
Editorial Review:
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.
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
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - 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 ... Read More
Rating: - 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.
Rating:  - Not a Family Film
Why is it that people feel the need to use so much foul language when trying to express themselves? It isn't necessary and is quite offensive! I was looking forward to seeing this movie because of all the rave reviews but chose not to sit through it because of the poor choice of language. What a wasted opportunity for a realistic, accurate family oriented history lesson!!
Rating:  - An Epic Battle Not So Epic
I recently saw the HBO miniseries "John Adams" and was compelled to watch this movie for a different perspective on a portion of the same period. Like most American schoolchildren, my familiarity with the crossing of the Delaware at Trenton was limited to the famous painting of that event which shows General Washington perched imperiously in the prow of a boat while being rowed through icy waters in the dead of night. The reality was decidedly less cinematic; unfortunately, so is this made-for-television ... Read More
Rating:  - 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.
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