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| The Crossing | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Genre | Historical drama |
| Based on | The Crossing byHoward Fast |
| Written by | Howard Fast |
| Directed by | Robert Harmon |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Gary Chang |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producer | David Coatsworth |
| Cinematography | Rene Ohashi |
| Editor | Zach Staenberg |
| Running time | 89 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | A&E |
| Release | January 10, 2000 (2000-01-10) |
The Crossing is a 2000 Americantelevisionhistorical drama film aboutGeorge Washington's crossing of the Delaware River and theBattle of Trenton. Directed byRobert Harmon and adapted byHoward Fast from his novel of the same name, the film starsJeff Daniels asGeorge Washington.[1] Also appearing areRoger Rees asHugh Mercer,Sebastian Roché asJohn Glover, and Steven McCarthy asAlexander Hamilton.[2] The film premiered onA&E on January 10, 2000.[3]
After repeated defeats during theAmerican Revolutionary War'scampaign of 1776, theContinental Army retreats acrossNew Jersey. In the past six months, they have lostNew York City and been chased through New Jersey bythe British, and 90 percent of their troops have either been killed, taken prisoner, or deserted.
After the army narrowly escapes across theDelaware River to thePennsylvania shore, it is in possession of the only boats of any use on that stretch of the Delaware, obtaining it a reprieve from further pursuit until the river freezes, which will allow the British to cross from New Jersey and capturePhiladelphia. GeneralHugh Mercer reminds GeneralGeorge Washington, the commander of theContinental Army, that their supplies of food, medicine, ammunition and winter clothing are dangerously low.
Realizing that the Revolution will collapse unless he finds a solution, Washington conceives a plan to cross back across the Delaware and conduct a surprise attack on theHessian garrison atTrenton. Washington queries ColonelJohn Glover, an experiencedmariner fromMarblehead, Massachusetts whose troops have previously effected Continental evacuations by boat, about the feasibility of the plan. Glover calls the task of moving Washington’s troops across the river in one night during freezing weather impossible, but says it must be done to save the Revolution, so his men and he will do it.
Washington proposes the plan to his staff and subordinate commanders and GeneralHoratio Gates picks it apart, then suggests that Washington relinquish his command. Washington orders Gates to be silent and tellsAlexander Hamilton to escort Gates out of camp at gunpoint. After Gates has left, the group laughs, but Washington and Glover silence them by reiterating the seriousness of the situation and the risks associated with the battle plan. OnChristmas night, the Hessians will be feasting and drinking, so early on the following morning the Continentals will attack while the Hessians are tired and sluggish. The officers have only a few days to prepare their troops and weapons, and to maintain the element of surprise the soldiers are told no more than necessary.
Despite low morale, fatigue and bad winter weather, Washington lifts his soldiers' spirits and Glover supervises the crossing from the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware to the New Jersey side on the night of December 25–26, 1776. The crossing is completed on the morning of December 26, though it is behind schedule and the sun has risen, increasing the risk that the operation will be discovered. Washington's troops march to Trenton and attack at eight o'clock. They achieve a stunning victory over the surprised Hessians and capture almost the entire garrison.
Filming took place in April and May 1999, inToronto.[3][4]
The Crossing contains several minor errors and historical anachronisms.[5] Among them are that in December 1776, Gates was not removed from camp at gunpoint.[5] In addition, at the time in which the film is set, Alexander Hamilton had not yet joined Washington's staff.[6] During the Battle of Trenton, Hamilton commanded an artillery battery that fired from a high point near the center of town, which prevented the Hessians from organizing a defense or escaping.[6]
Details presented during the closing credits claim that none of Washington's men were killed or wounded.[5] In fact, two Continental soldiers froze to death during the march and five were wounded during the attack, includingJames Monroe.[5][7]
The Crossing won aPeabody Award for excellence in 2000.[8] CinematographerRene Ohashi also won the 2001ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movies of the Week/Mini-Series/Pilot,[9] and the film's sound team was nominated for anEmmy for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special.[9]
