Ironically, this is my favorite "Christmas movie." I like to watch it on Christmas night every year to remember the amazing accomplishment of Washington and the Continental Army.
add me to your list of irony !! For a "made for TV" movie, it's on my "one of the best" list. It was an A & E production, and I ordered the DVD as soon as it became available ( includes a behind the scenes/making of) . Not a Christmas goes by... a much needed reminder of what those true patriots endured. Always remember them, and keep the faith.
God bless you, patriot! Pass that feeling on to your children and grandchildren! (though I'm sure you already have!) Respect, brotherhood, and love from Texas! God help us all in these times, truly our darkest hour.
The best movie dealing with the Revolutionary War. I doubt that Washington was as well spoken as Daniels but he would have overawed Gates At this moment, For he would have had murder in his eyes,
My great-great-great-great grandfather was one of the Hessians captured at Trenton at Trenton on December 26, 1776. He then, like many of his compatriots turned-coat and joined Washington.
@@DTk5584 you ever fought ? Ever have some one shooting at you ? Or do you play games and think you know all about war ? Id say no to first two and yes to last one .
@@freddyflintstoned913 The men where not mercenaries .They where in the Hessian army and that is where they where sent and they had no say in it .I think I read some place that they where getting less pay for being over here .
I think it's also because he knows his history. That most Americans today don't understand of. Which is the part of the reason why they are erasing our history, and don't teach cursive hand writing.
Jeff Daniels was superb in this serious role, just as he was in Gettysburg. An underrated actor too often cast in comedies. His George Washington was excellent!
As David McCullough stated, one of the things that made Washington great is that he never gave up. He could have. Other men likely would have. Washington did not. And he learned from his mistakes. We were very lucky in so many ways.
@Todd Brooks I think you've mistaken me for an A-hole American. I haven't given up, I'm just watching in fascination from above the 49th parallel. We didn't leave the empire on bad terms in the 18th century. We matured for another century and left on good terms with a stable parliamentary system. Plus none of my "founding fathers" owned human beings as chattel. Looking at Australia, New Zealand and Canada I think we're not perfect, but on the whole doing just fine thanks. Way to reinforce the stereotype though....salty.
A truly great moment in history: Washington’s brilliant and audacious attack on Trenton changed the course of world history. Gates was referred to by his men as Granny Gates, and you can see here why. If it were not for the Hero of Saratoga, Gen. Arnold, Gates would have lost that battle.
Gates got much of the credit that Arnold felt belonged to him, probably rightly, and Arnold's bitterness over this was one factor in his decision to go over to the British.
@kaczynski S Gates' rich family pockets had more to do with that than anything else, they financed his army if I remember correctly, so he called that card to get credit for Arnold's work. A pity Alex didn't "accidentally" shoot Gates that night, it would've prevented what Arnold did as well as the disastrous Battle of Camden, which Gates ran from.
And not to mention after his so-called victory at Saratoga, they chose him the lead the continental army in the south. His own arrogance thinking his men could meet and defeat the British in the open fields of Camden, SC was his own undoing. Most of them were militia, poorly trained and undisciplined to meet British regulars in the open field. They were also suffering heavily from dysentery and sickness. The last you ever really heard of General Horatio Gates was him cowardly fleeing the battle in front of his men with his staff chasing him 50 yards behind… one of the poorest generals in US History.
Don't forget about Col. T. Kosciuszko's important contributions to the American cause. Without his battle plans, positioning of the continental soldiers and building of fortifications, the continental army would not have stood a chance against the British.
This scene shows that Washington was a great leader. He was no great military tactician by any means. But he pulled off something not even Napoleon would have attempted. The guy had guts as well as his men. This battle changed world history.
Washington was also a man of much prayer; over & over the hand of God played into the success of this nation, from its very beginning. When we forget that we will be doomed. Author Michael Medved has written 1 or more books on the “American Miracle”.
@@emiliarutigliano7991 Like the heavy fog that concealed the retreat from Long Island and the North Wind that kept British ships from sailing up the East River and cutting off that retreat.
@@emiliarutigliano7991, if the 'hand of god' was really a 'thing', we wouldn't be dealing with school shootings and opioids and a wealth gap you could drive Brazil through. (For starters...) It was purely Nature's luck that saved us multiple times, and I'm grateful for it. Still, not the same as a deity picking winners and losers. Medved is a bible-thumper with a very specific goal and viewpoint, and so isn't considered a true historian by...well, true historians. (Not saying the books are irredeemable, just that they are slanted of viewpoint.)
David Morse played a more accurate Washington in "John Adams" but Daniels does great here portraying Washington's determination and iron will and shows how the Revolution managed to survive its mostly disastrous first two years.
I think Morse is very accurate, Washington in his interactions seemed stoic and succinct in his mannerisms. One time someone patted Washington on the shoulder to congratulate him about something, George swung around and stared the man down not saying a word.
Starving, tattered troops have much to gain in an attack against a foe that has plenty of provisions. Washington knew this and it was a great intangible quality his troops possessed. A century later many Union generals found out the hard way how ferocious starving troops will press home an attack with the promise of food as a reward.
Or found out that a division that had to miss breakfast due to Union attacks were not fun to fight with. John Bell Hood's men taught the Union that at Antietam.
@Doug Bevins Lincoln respected Lee and vice versa. Why can't you? Washington owned slaves and so did a lot of the founders.The Civil War was fought in Washington's America, we live in Lincoln's America. The rules were different then and when the South lost the rule book was changed permanently for the better.
The best line in the whole movie: Gen. Knox: 'I don't think Colonel Glover likes me very much, sir...." Washington: 'Why is that, Knox?' Knox: 'He told that being a fat man in an army starving to death was damned near treason....'
During the crossing of the Delaware it is reported that Washington said to Knox, "Move that fat ass, Henry, but slowly or you'll swamp the f^^^^^^ boat." Word travelled up and down the army and the crude humour boosted morale.
Trenton was an interesting battle. Strategically, it didn't count for much, but hitting their best right where they lived and getting away with it changed the entire dynamic. There's nothing so damaging to an opponent as a good, strong, well placed boot in the balls.
It goes to show you that minor victories CAN determine the course of a war. Wars are fought in the mind as well as on the battlefield, something that Vietnam re-taught us.
It was one of the most important battles in American history. It gave the Continental Army supplies (taken from the Hessians), eliminated hundreds of Hessians (mostly prisoners), and boosted morale, which in turn encouraged the soldiers to reenlist. Without it Washington would have been a general trapped at a river without an army, and the United States would have never become a nation.
"If you keep running from the school yard bully, he keeps on chasing you but the moment you turn around and stop and punch him really hard in a sensitive spot. He’ll think twice about coming back again."
Often overlooked here is that Washington re-crossed the Delaware a few days later and hit the British again at Princeton, getting away with their war chest and making Cornwallis look foolish as he slipped through his fingers and back to his own side of the river once more. The single most important effect of these two battles is that enlistments went back up, and many of the soldiers due to go home on January 1 also re-enlisted so that by springtime, Washington once more had an army.
Its a very rare thing for a man to recognize a flaw and work so hard to correct it. George Washington was the key man in the Revolution; the most indispensable man
@southerncajuncharm His only claim to fame was the surrender of Burgoyne and even he didn't do much regarding that. Benedict Arnold should've gotten more credit than he did for that.
Washington was a man of his time and he had his flaws but I have to admire some of his qualities, like him politeness and calmness too. Washington was a great leader no doubt.
@VolDep45 Jefferson and Madison might not have turned down monarch as well, given the context of the time and their belief in the Enlightenment. They, however, would not have walked away as Washington did after two terms. It was that precedent which shamed most others into obeying that simple rule.
@Darius Kang , yeah, and let's get rid of the first and second ammendment, shut down ICE, open the borders, free health care and colleges, 1000 a month in universal basic income for everybody, reparations for slavery, abolish the electoral college, and lower the voting age to 16. Let's make America great again!
I really love this scene. This actual meeting in 1776 took place at what is actually called the Summerseat in my hometown of Morrisville Pa. ( Bucks County ).This building is 2 blocks from my house. So proud to live in this Historic area. The battle of Trenton and Princeton were the turning points of the American Revolution.
idk man if inwould call this battle of Trenton the turning point,- its more like George washingtons greatest peril- but the whole war was pretty desperate till the end!
General Horatio Gates, what a guy! His two greatest accomplishments were taking credit for what was mainly Benedict Arnold's work at the Battle of Saratoga and breathing down Washington's neck to the point where his Excellency was determined to succeed, if nothing else just to spite him!
But if I recall correctly, Gates was instrumental at Cowpens near the end of the war. I think he and Washington put aside their differences....at least for the common goal.
He was sent south and at the Battle of Camden was defeated and the Army of the South nearly destroyed. And Gates fled the field in terror which at least contributed to the defeat becoming so severe. It nearly lost the war. The path was clear for the Cronwallis to sweep north all the way into the Middle Colonies.
Only the guerrilla actions of the Southern Militias saved the day by slowing down the British. The climax was Cowpens were the Militia and few of the remnants of the regulars won a major victory which tied Cornwallis down long enough to allow Green to organize a real resistance.
I love the way Washington is portrayed here, not as a perfect figure, whitewashed by history, but as a desperate, backed into a corner. Daniels gives a very relatable human quality to Washington. It is a refreshing change from the stuffed-shirt and powdered wig that is the usual depiction of the man in film.
@@johnallen9439 Sir I am 60 years old and I am an educator and I have dealt with your kind of damaged goods for decades. What you need is to check yourself. Try and discover the source of your anger and stop placing the blame on others. The burdens you bear were not delivered from afar. They were intimate. Discover them. Unravel them. Live free.
@@thomaskurnas6582 I don't agree with John Allen, and his language offends me. But not nearly as much as your condescension. Check himself? Check yourself first. You're part of the problem.
At Trenton, 3 Crack Hessian regiments under Col. Rall were celebrating Christmas and we're not expecting an attack. Even Col. Rall said "let them come"! "We will go at them with the bayonet"! And these Hessian regiments were known for their ruthless use of the bayonet and we're the most feared troops in King George the 3rd's army. Instead, they were drunk, passed out the whole night, all the way to the morning when the American army took them by suprise, pulling off one of the biggest victories of the war.
The myth that the Hessians were drunk is just that, a myth. Washington's troops marched to Trenton in a Nor'easter, and they were upon the Hessians at Trenton before the Hessians knew they were there. There was also an attack on Trenton earlier that night by another group of Americans, which kept the Hessians on alert all night. They were exhausted when Washington attacked. I highly recommend the book Washington's Crossing. It dispels all the myths of the battle.
You are right. Very few could have been tipsy; if anything, they were worn out by the frequent alarms (in frigid weather) and unscheduled patrols they'd been subjected to for the 3-4 days prior to the battle. One such patrol unwittingly turned back just 1/4 mile short of being able to spot Washington's leading elements headed toward the town! Rall had requested permission to fortify key points in and near Trenton, which could have made his position more secure and helped to reduce the operational tempo, but he was refused permission to do so ("unnecessary before this enemy, and in any event damaging to the Hessian reputation").
If I am not mistaken the Hessian were caught in the early morning, hungover, unprepared, and many died in their long johns. In other words they never rallied to a fighting position which was in fact their distinct advantage. In the mindset of the time what Washington did was borderline unethical and to the British sensibility "barbarous". As to the Hessian, they were mercenaries in the sense that they were hired to fight. The fact that they were "pawns" of German princes that rented them out to the British doesn't change the fact that they were hired
@Nathaniel Lionheart they sure was they raped and tortured American civilians nothing but savages but many did fight for Washington after Trenton all so look up look up the black robe regiment nothing but southern Christian priests btw considered they best regiment is the southern colonies
This scene gave me goose bumps just to realize how much the odds were against us and how history hung on the balance. Not just at Trenton, but we were facing off against a Global Empire with almost unlimited resources and with the best army in the world at that time.
@@squidgert566 We'll the United States would not be here today if not for what happened during that time. By saying "us" I mean me and every true American who is here today and has The Constitution as our highest law. You may not care about this, but me and a lot of other people do. What happened then affect us today.
@@jdee8407 were you involved in any of it? “Them” is more appropriate, while not downgrading anything they have done to be independent nor the massive help of the French to piss off the Bri’ish. You can admire people and/or your descendants have done without taking any credits for something you have absolutely no hand into.
Miserable, yes, but I was told by a former park ranger there that the snow was seldom more than ankle-deep. He learned quickly that this was something the public did not want to hear!
David Parry, I just recently went down to Baltimore and visited Fort Mchenry, where Francis Scott Key wrote the National Anthem. Even though it was a different war I would not have wanted to be the men on that Fort when the British were bombing them. It was freezing and the wind was brutal during the time I was there. Can only imagine what Valley Forge would have been like in the dead of winter further up north.
The issue at Valley Forge wasn't the snow. It did snow there during the encampment, quite often...in fact, the army marched in during a snowstorm. But, as anybody who lives in SE PA will tell you, the winters in this region are not bad because of snow, rather, it is because of the swings in temperature. During February and March in particular, it is not uncommon for SE PA to get 12 inches of snow, and two days later have the temperatures reach 60 degrees. During the 18th century, when roads were rough on a good day, and when sanitation was about the same, you can understand what it must have been like to not only try to get supplies to an encampment whose roads are easily 20 inches deep with mud, or to try to maintain sanitary conditions when the latrines froze, thawed, froze, then thawed again in a matter of 48 hours. Many of the European officers who were at Valley Forge during 1777/78 sent letters home and to their aides complaining of the awful weather conditions: snow or freezing rain for a week, followed by 2 days of temperatures in the high 50s, followed by 2 days of heavy rain downpours...Animal carcasses, which weren't buried deep enough to begin with, would literally rise to the surface of the mud smelling horribly and attracting all kinds of vermin...Poorly placed latrines would overflow into the camp water supplies, the air was filled with the waste of thousands of soldiers. It was a petri dish for diseases like dysentery, small pox, typhus, etc. And unfortunately those diseases struck with a vengeance. In 6 months time nearly 2500 soldiers of the Continental Army died, mostly from disease, and thousands more would become ill. There are small cemeteries throughout the region with a dozen, or twenty, or fifty soldiers buried who became ill at VF and were removed to both keep the diseases from spreading and keep the morale of the men up as much as possible. It was in every way a perfect storm, but the men who marched out of the encampment had gone through hell, and they were the toughest of the lot. It was a crucible in every sense of the word, but that horrible winter created an army that could stand toe to toe with the British, and would just a few weeks later at Monmouth.
Classic scene! I remember viewing this when it first aired on television. I think this particular clip is very well chosen as a means of inspiration, for those of us who know what we are up against in our struggle for the freedom of the human soul. The title of the film, as well as its message, reveals to us that we must all ultimately face that crucial moment of decision, that moment when we must choose to either submit or cross the threshold...with Inner Courage, Spiritual Maturity & Boldness.
There was one flaw in this movie. There was no blizzard occurring as they re-enacted the crossing of the Delaware. Washington's army had to cross the river, which was clogged with ice, in a blinding blizzard, making the passage dangerous. But the whole army did crossed safely without the loss of a man.
R Hayndr we need true heroes like Washington today honestly. How those lads survived that turmoil, the cold, starving, outnumbered and exhausted, yet they kicked the Hessians asses so bad that they gave up without all that much of a fight. Funny enough, December 26th is my birthday, and funny enough still, I live in New Jersey! Go figure!
Skyrim2018 Wow. your birthday was on Washington's victory at Trenton. Lucky you. 2,000 men left in the American army and they pulled off one of the biggest victories of the Revolution. Next big victory was Princeton. despite lacking supplies, Washington inspired his men not to give up and they kept the revolution alive.
I think Washington himself answers you here skyrim, the 2000 he had left were the ones that had NOT deserted or run. they were the ones that served him and the cause through everything. Proven by the fact that they were sitting in the snow in December in New Jersey, with not enough blankets , food or weapons. Yet the fact that they WERE still there despite all that proves that they were fully capable of pulling off this Military Miracle. I believe Washington understood this. Gates certainly didn't
*R Hayndr* does this movie also have a black man Prince Whipple who held the lantern to help George Washington cross the Delaware safely and in doing so he froze to death still holding the lantern. The history books say he was in the boat but he froze to death bringing General Washington safely to shore.
The British run it ? LOL.. that is awesome and surprising at the same time ..I wasn't sure they would play any Revolutionary War movies as we usually paint them as pretty arrogant and the baddy. It is a great movie though ..:)
@@historygeekslive8243, it does seem a bit odd, but the Brits have a weird love-hate of their own history and culture. Even contemporaneous to the time, there were those IN the British Parliament that wanted to settle with the Americans, and not just because it seemed a waste of resources, but because they genuinely were sympathetic to the cause. Remember, too, that 'we' were the first major loss of their Empire, and I wonder if in some odd way they are almost inversely proud that their truculent offspring grew up so 'big and strong', even if it was a fight to make it happen.
idk man lots of people have also! alexander the great maybe! ceasar, king harald of Battle of Hastings, patton, Alfred the great, frederick the great, etc…
Jeff Daniels may be the most underrated actor of our generation, His performances as Washington, of which he had several , I believe are the best on film. His roles as union officers in multiple Civil War films are also head and shoulders above.
My great-great-great grandfather was a man named Barnard Cass. His brother, Major Johnathan Cass fought at Bunker Hill and was with Washington at Valley Forge. I appreciate both the men who fought and the people who , more recently put this history on the silver screen.
Before watching this film I had never thought of Jeff Daniels as much of an actor. But this movie proved me wrong as he was excellent as General George Washington. Great film. I bought it.
Often, the most successful character actors have more genuine talent than the movie stars they support. One of the reasons Jeff Daniels is so good is that he's A GREAT CHARACTER ACTOR whose acting TALENT elevated him to stardom. His greatest gift is soliloquy. Give him a long speech in a pivotable scene and he ALWAYS knocks it out of the park. I recommend you watch the UA-cam videos, "The Most Honest Three Minutes In Television History" and "Colonel Joshua Chamberlain Speech" as examples of his gift.
Incidentally if Gates died at Saratoga, command would’ve fallen to his second-in-command, Benedict Arnold. This in turn would’ve rendered any possible betrayal from Arnold moot at the Congress would have been forced to acknowledge him and may have prevented him from being trapped in New York. Tl;dr the nation’s first Secretary of War could very well have been Benedict Arnold.
We watched this movie in my history class and in the beginning I saw the name Sebastian Roché and my jaw fell open since I know him as Balthazar from supernatural and I realized him in this scene as the man in the brown coat I couldn't stop giggling to myself the entire movie 😆
General Ghates spent the entire war trying to undermine Washington. If he had taken command of the Continental Army, there would be no United States as we know it. He was a failed ex-British Army Officer looking to feather his own nest in glory and recognition. Wrongfully credited with the victory at Saratoga and ultimately blamed for the defeat at Camden I believe he would have eventually capitulated and surrendered the Continental Army to the British and sued for peace leaving America's future to the hands of the British.
My ancestor, Theophilus Clarke, crossed the Delaware and fought at Trenton and wintered at Valley Forge. Crossing the Delaware saved the war. Remarkable.
I've heard this story many times, I think this is the first time I realized that not only did we cross a frozen river on Christmas to kill the Hessians in their sleep, it was the first time our army had actually taken the fight to the enemy. An audacious attack to start with. My memory neither confirms nor denies this right now, but I'll have to read up on the early history of the war.
Any good strategist knows you don't have to win an insurgency against an occupying force. You just have to not lose it. Giap knew, Washington knew it. Hell, every flea bitten Afghani tribal chief knows it. You don't need money or technology. You just need the will and patience to bleed along with your enemy until his resolve waivers.
Operations during Christmas, already wearing crap clothing, having to cross a half frozen river in sturdy boats that were still wet inside (as boats tend to be), then facing a storm of rain & snow, finally attacking professional troops....those boys were tough SOBs.
Truly better men came before us, and we are poor imitations of manliness in comparison, they are at rest and their swords sheathed, but their sacred honor will burn for all time, every time some little guy stands up to a bully or justice prevails, it is their doing. Thank you All mighty God for sending Gen Washington and his gallant men who bequeathed freedom and a disdain for tyranny into the world. They may have died but their deeds echo into eternity.
We now have a domestic enemy we must someday deal with or this precious thing called freedom will disappear. As Ronald Reagan stated, "Freedom is only a generation removed". We keep taking steps in that direction, slowly but execrably.
I went to the reenactment of the crossing Christmas day 2019 for the first time and it was a great experience, the weather however was in the 50s a far cry from the freezing temperatures they had that day, I was on the Jersey side, there were over a thousand people between the Pennsylvania and Jersey side, the only problem was the parking, if anyone is thinking of going either arrive very early or prepare to walk a mile or two the actual crossing started at 1pm.
I've been there several times as well. One thing that really got me is just how difficult those Durham boats those are to maneuver. Almost all the boats trouble to find the Jersey Shore and kept going off course. I can only imagine doing it in the middle of the night with snow.
Stop voting for businessmen and vote for veterans. Eisenhower was the last great President, for a reason. Men like Trump and Biden have no self discipline and cower at the very moment when bravery, courage and sacrifice are needed. The People play follow the leader, and America has been following cowards since the day JFK was murdered by Allen Dulles.
Actually, Washington and Gates met alone that night. When Washington understood that Gates’ presence would only undermine troop morale, he ordered the general out of camp. Two of Washington's soldiers froze to death on the march to Trenton and 6 were wounded in the action, so there were casualties. Alexander Hamilton was not part of the attack on Trenton, a young James Monroe was. Movies like this are dramatizations of events and should not be relied upon for historical accuracy.
@@rwesser1 You are correct, Hamilton's performances at Trenton and Princeton gained him the notoriety he desired. I should have said Hamilton was not yet on Washington's staff.
What made Washington so... unique... compared to pretty much every American general in history was an unrelenting vision and perseverance. No other general had such high quality in both. I am not saying he was a 'perfect' general. As tactician some of the other generals in the war on both sides were better. However he understood his role as the top commander much better than any other American general in history.
In the actual history the confrontation, if there was one, was less dramatic. Gates did not take part in the attack on Trenton, claiming to be ill. As a general rule 18th century armies went into winter quarters between approximately October and March and Trenton was certainly unexpected behaviour.
Ironically, this is my favorite "Christmas movie." I like to watch it on Christmas night every year to remember the amazing accomplishment of Washington and the Continental Army.
add me to your list of irony !! For a "made for TV" movie, it's on my "one of the best" list. It was an A & E production, and I ordered the DVD as soon as it became available ( includes a behind the scenes/making of) . Not a Christmas goes by... a much needed reminder of what those true patriots endured. Always remember them, and keep the faith.
It is a Christmas miracle.
Also sir Brucious Willis and his courageous campaign against the Germans in nakatomi tower on that one Christmas Eve night.
Sounds like an excellent idea. I will do the same
God bless you, patriot! Pass that feeling on to your children and grandchildren! (though I'm sure you already have!) Respect, brotherhood, and love from Texas! God help us all in these times, truly our darkest hour.
You know an actor is really good when he is the co-star of the movie dumb and dumber, but also plays george washington and col. chamberlin
and plays it very well
That would make a good comedy, a Jekyll and Hyde movie, Jeff playing George Washington then turns into Harry Dunne. 😄
and then plays Atticus Finch on Broadway
Eh, I found his portrayal to be sub-par. I thought the Washington in "John Adams" was far better.
*Imagines Washington having a lax attack in a wooden outhouse while Gates snickers in a nearby bush*
Every time I watch this, I can’t help but think of how grateful I am for what these men did
@WorldFlex Then leave. I hear Antartica is nice this time of year. Also, the ticket will be one way, no coats or supplies provided.
@@mywifesboyfriend5741, why are you criticizing her? She is a patriot, like I imagine you are.
What, deny us universal healthcare?
If they'd failed, you'd be grateful for the British having defeated those fucking rebels to keep you part of the glorious British Empire.
move to Moscow or Beijing, I'm sure they will treat you better
This is one of the best movies ever made for television. Daniels gave a superb performance.
His portrayal of Washington is ridiculous.
It's between this and John Adams. Both very good.
The best movie dealing with the Revolutionary War. I doubt that Washington was as well spoken as Daniels but he would have overawed Gates At this moment, For he would have had murder in his eyes,
Right down the Michigan/Chicagoan accent as a British officer. Otherwise, yes, it's a great watch.
The most dangerous opponent is one who has nothing left to lose.
Amen to that
Biden-Harris resembles that right about now too.
The shadow government band there commie cronies aka Democrat party
@@scottclements1434look at us now
@@scottclements1434, updated...but not sure a residing Vice President has 'nothing left to lose'...
I'd dare say they have EVERYTHING to lose...
My great-great-great-great grandfather was one of the Hessians captured at Trenton at Trenton on December 26, 1776. He then, like many of his compatriots turned-coat and joined Washington.
Mercenaries, now we call them contractors. Good for him.
Coward
@@DTk5584 you ever fought ? Ever have some one shooting at you ? Or do you play games and think you know all about war ? Id say no to first two and yes to last one .
@@freddyflintstoned913 The men where not mercenaries .They where in the Hessian army and that is where they where sent and they had no say in it .I think I read some place that they where getting less pay for being over here .
hopatease1 neither apply to me, but, you have never been in war either, so piss off. The fact you reference games already says you are maybe 17
Jeff Daniels is a complete actor. Not just a funny actor but a complete character actor.
I think it's also because he knows his history. That most Americans today don't understand of. Which is the part of the reason why they are erasing our history, and don't teach cursive hand writing.
He’s also just a normal guy. He lives near me in Michigan and it’s not uncommon to see him around town shopping or doing regular things.
He's also a screaming libturd
Yes, indeed. Glad I learned this.
Jeff Daniels was superb in this serious role, just as he was in Gettysburg. An underrated actor too often cast in comedies. His George Washington was excellent!
Myrdden71 he was a comedian first. that's the problem
Arnold and Kosciuszko won Saratoga, not Gates.
FLguy He played a very good role as Chamberlain in Gettysburg and Gods and Generals especially he looks like Chamberlain.
No, Gates didn't win Saratoga. That was Arnold, Gates stole it, and the ingratitude drove the man to treason.
The best GW.
As David McCullough stated, one of the things that made Washington great is that he never gave up. He could have. Other men likely would have. Washington did not. And he learned from his mistakes. We were very lucky in so many ways.
McCullough is vastly underrated as a writer. I loved listening to his audio books when I was trucking.
We all owe Washington everything. The man was a superstar and deservedly so. He was like a Christ figure to the revolution. He sacrificed EVERYTHING.
It was a decent run while it lasted. The states are barely united at this point.
@Todd Brooks I think you've mistaken me for an A-hole American. I haven't given up, I'm just watching in fascination from above the 49th parallel. We didn't leave the empire on bad terms in the 18th century. We matured for another century and left on good terms with a stable parliamentary system. Plus none of my "founding fathers" owned human beings as chattel.
Looking at Australia, New Zealand and Canada I think we're not perfect, but on the whole doing just fine thanks. Way to reinforce the stereotype though....salty.
More like...Blessed...!!!
A truly great moment in history: Washington’s brilliant and audacious attack on Trenton changed the course of world history. Gates was referred to by his men as Granny Gates, and you can see here why. If it were not for the Hero of Saratoga, Gen. Arnold, Gates would have lost that battle.
Gates got much of the credit that Arnold felt belonged to him, probably rightly, and Arnold's bitterness over this was one factor in his decision to go over to the British.
I did a national history day project on this and it went to state
@kaczynski S Gates' rich family pockets had more to do with that than anything else, they financed his army if I remember correctly, so he called that card to get credit for Arnold's work. A pity Alex didn't "accidentally" shoot Gates that night, it would've prevented what Arnold did as well as the disastrous Battle of Camden, which Gates ran from.
And not to mention after his so-called victory at Saratoga, they chose him the lead the continental army in the south.
His own arrogance thinking his men could meet and defeat the British in the open fields of Camden, SC was his own undoing. Most of them were militia, poorly trained and undisciplined to meet British regulars in the open field. They were also suffering heavily from dysentery and sickness. The last you ever really heard of General Horatio Gates was him cowardly fleeing the battle in front of his men with his staff chasing him 50 yards behind… one of the poorest generals in US History.
Don't forget about Col. T. Kosciuszko's important contributions to the American cause. Without his battle plans, positioning of the continental soldiers and building of fortifications, the continental army would not have stood a chance against the British.
This scene shows that Washington was a great leader. He was no great military tactician by any means. But he pulled off something not even Napoleon would have attempted. The guy had guts as well as his men. This battle changed world history.
Washington was also a man of much prayer; over & over the hand of God played into the success of this nation, from its very beginning. When we forget that we will be doomed. Author Michael Medved has written 1 or more books on the “American Miracle”.
@@emiliarutigliano7991 Like the heavy fog that concealed the retreat from Long Island and the North Wind that kept British ships from sailing up the East River and cutting off that retreat.
@@emiliarutigliano7991, if the 'hand of god' was really a 'thing', we wouldn't be dealing with school shootings and opioids and a wealth gap you could drive Brazil through. (For starters...)
It was purely Nature's luck that saved us multiple times, and I'm grateful for it. Still, not the same as a deity picking winners and losers.
Medved is a bible-thumper with a very specific goal and viewpoint, and so isn't considered a true historian by...well, true historians. (Not saying the books are irredeemable, just that they are slanted of viewpoint.)
"Welcome sir, have you eaten? -Enough" What a role model.
What or who did he eat??? (or drink?) Nigel Bennett was a vampire in Forever Knight ;-)
@@christineposemato9895, I thought that voice sounded familiar.
David Morse played a more accurate Washington in "John Adams" but Daniels does great here portraying Washington's determination and iron will and shows how the Revolution managed to survive its mostly disastrous first two years.
Ian Kahn does an excellent version of Washington in Turn: Washington’s Spies. Both accurate historically, as well as accurate characteristically.
I think Morse is very accurate, Washington in his interactions seemed stoic and succinct in his mannerisms. One time someone patted Washington on the shoulder to congratulate him about something, George swung around and stared the man down not saying a word.
@@shaneturner500 Ian Kahn resembled more of a younger Washington in TURN.....like a 1760s version rather than the 1770s version.
Starving, tattered troops have much to gain in an attack against a foe that has plenty of provisions. Washington knew this and it was a great intangible quality his troops possessed. A century later many Union generals found out the hard way how ferocious starving troops will press home an attack with the promise of food as a reward.
"It is not these well-fed long-haired men that I fear, but the pale and the hungry-looking" Julius Caesar.
Or found out that a division that had to miss breakfast due to Union attacks were not fun to fight with. John Bell Hood's men taught the Union that at Antietam.
@@tiffanycarter5432 john hood was a great leader with great troops under his command
@Doug Bevins Lincoln respected Lee and vice versa. Why can't you? Washington owned slaves and so did a lot of the founders.The Civil War was fought in Washington's America, we live in Lincoln's America. The rules were different then and when the South lost the rule book was changed permanently for the better.
And many Confederates learned how foolish it was to try and start a nation on a temper tantrum
The best line in the whole movie:
Gen. Knox: 'I don't think Colonel Glover likes me very much, sir...."
Washington: 'Why is that, Knox?'
Knox: 'He told that being a fat man in an army starving to death was damned near treason....'
Henry Knox.....the Father of the American Field Artillery. Shoot, Move and Communicate!
During the crossing of the Delaware it is reported that Washington said to Knox, "Move that fat ass, Henry, but slowly or you'll swamp the f^^^^^^ boat." Word travelled up and down the army and the crude humour boosted morale.
Every year my students love "try me General Gates". It's the biggest "OOOOOHHHHH" I get.
You, Sir are a great teacher!
Trenton was an interesting battle. Strategically, it didn't count for much, but hitting their best right where they lived and getting away with it changed the entire dynamic. There's nothing so damaging to an opponent as a good, strong, well placed boot in the balls.
It goes to show you that minor victories CAN determine the course of a war. Wars are fought in the mind as well as on the battlefield, something that Vietnam re-taught us.
It was one of the most important battles in American history. It gave the Continental Army supplies (taken from the Hessians), eliminated hundreds of Hessians (mostly prisoners), and boosted morale, which in turn encouraged the soldiers to reenlist. Without it Washington would have been a general trapped at a river without an army, and the United States would have never become a nation.
"If you keep running from the school yard bully, he keeps on chasing you but the moment you turn around and stop and punch him really hard in a sensitive spot. He’ll think twice about coming back again."
Bodies fight battles, but minds win them.
Change the mindset, change the battlefield.
Often overlooked here is that Washington re-crossed the Delaware a few days later and hit the British again at Princeton, getting away with their war chest and making Cornwallis look foolish as he slipped through his fingers and back to his own side of the river once more. The single most important effect of these two battles is that enlistments went back up, and many of the soldiers due to go home on January 1 also re-enlisted so that by springtime, Washington once more had an army.
George Washington a man of legendary temper when provoked. He viewed it as a major character flaw and worked his whole life to control it.
Its a very rare thing for a man to recognize a flaw and work so hard to correct it. George Washington was the key man in the Revolution; the most indispensable man
They didn't expect it. And Washington knew it!!
A great thespian, Mr. Daniels. Woody Allen used his many talents in “The Purple Rose of Cairo”. Check it out !
"That Gates is a damn fool" - Benjamin Martin
Spent too many years in the British army.
@southerncajuncharm His only claim to fame was the surrender of Burgoyne and even he didn't do much regarding that. Benedict Arnold should've gotten more credit than he did for that.
Yes he won Saratoga, oh wait, Benedict Arnold did that.
Damn this comment made me laugh xD
@@cmendr011 his love for the "King's right hand" is what got his ass kicked.
Washington was a man of his time and he had his flaws but I have to admire some of his qualities, like him politeness and calmness too. Washington was a great leader no doubt.
@VolDep45 Jefferson and Madison might not have turned down monarch as well, given the context of the time and their belief in the Enlightenment. They, however, would not have walked away as Washington did after two terms. It was that precedent which shamed most others into obeying that simple rule.
@Darius Kang Oof
@Darius Kang , yeah, and let's get rid of the first and second ammendment, shut down ICE, open the borders, free health care and colleges, 1000 a month in universal basic income for everybody, reparations for slavery, abolish the electoral college, and lower the voting age to 16. Let's make America great again!
Darius Kang you are a coddled communist nutcase! You must love BIG BROTHER
I agree, we should remove jeff Daniels from the part and replace him with Dumb and Dumber, then it would be like if you were a founding father.
I love the polite gentility which masks great hostility...
Welcome to the 18th Century.....
You are a poet even if you didn’t know it!
then you'd love feudal japan, read Shogun by James Clavell, you'll shit bricks of pleasure
@@JamesBond-fg6bt The new Shogun show on FX is superb!
The actor portraying General Gates (Nigel Bennett) is really superb.
Yes. Very old school British.
He was great playing Death in the TV series LEXX, back when the SciFi channel was about scifi and not wrestling!
I still see Lucian LaCroix from "Forever Knight" whenever I see him!
I don't know, I think he was pretty mean to George.
MDG he played it to the hilt ~
This was a great movie. You don't see too many movies about the War for Independence. Jeff Daniels was great in this.
That house looks so cozy and warm. It makes me appreciative of my home and it's warmth.
And the dry cleaning services that kept their cloths so clean.
I really love this scene. This actual meeting in 1776 took place at what is actually called the Summerseat in my hometown of Morrisville Pa. ( Bucks County ).This building is 2 blocks from my house. So proud to live in this Historic area. The battle of Trenton and Princeton were the turning points of the American Revolution.
idk man if inwould call this battle of Trenton the turning point,- its more like George washingtons greatest peril- but the whole war was pretty desperate till the end!
@@trevorjames9366 Trenton is argued as a turning point, not for the British, but for the colonies to get their shit together.
"Gates is right; if the Hessians get wind of this and catch those Durham boats on the river, we'll all swim to hell."
"Damn well said."
Gates was right; In actual fact the weather was in a sheet blizzard that just so happened to perfectly mask the rebel's movments.
General Horatio Gates, what a guy! His two greatest accomplishments were taking credit for what was mainly Benedict Arnold's work at the Battle of Saratoga and breathing down Washington's neck to the point where his Excellency was determined to succeed, if nothing else just to spite him!
Really Gates was blowing it at Saratoga and but for Arnold the British would have at least escaped.
But if I recall correctly, Gates was instrumental at Cowpens near the end of the war. I think he and Washington put aside their differences....at least for the common goal.
He was sent south and at the Battle of Camden was defeated and the Army of the South nearly destroyed. And Gates fled the field in terror which at least contributed to the defeat becoming so severe. It nearly lost the war. The path was clear for the Cronwallis to sweep north all the way into the Middle Colonies.
Only the guerrilla actions of the Southern Militias saved the day by slowing down the British. The climax was Cowpens were the Militia and few of the remnants of the regulars won a major victory which tied Cornwallis down long enough to allow Green to organize a real resistance.
Wasn't Gates the same guys who galloped across 3 states on his horse after his army lost.
I love the way Washington is portrayed here, not as a perfect figure, whitewashed by history, but as a desperate, backed into a corner. Daniels gives a very relatable human quality to Washington. It is a refreshing change from the stuffed-shirt and powdered wig that is the usual depiction of the man in film.
Scott Spears I thought he did a great job portraying him as well.
What happened to you john allen?
Talk to us.
This is a safe place.
Tell us why you are so damaged.
I am listening john allen . . .
@@johnallen9439 Sir I am 60 years old and I am an educator and I have dealt with your kind of damaged goods for decades. What you need is to check yourself. Try and discover the source of your anger and stop placing the blame on others.
The burdens you bear were not delivered from afar. They were intimate. Discover them. Unravel them. Live free.
Scott Spears I thought Mark Omera did a good job.
@@thomaskurnas6582 I don't agree with John Allen, and his language offends me. But not nearly as much as your condescension.
Check himself? Check yourself first. You're part of the problem.
One of my favorite movies. Excellent. Jeff Daniels is excellent!
A wonderful program! I recommend that everyone watch the entire program. It will make you proud of our founding fathers.
Jeff Daniels is awesome. The guy can play literally anyone.
At Trenton, 3 Crack Hessian regiments under Col. Rall were celebrating Christmas and we're not expecting an attack. Even Col. Rall said "let them come"! "We will go at them with the bayonet"! And these Hessian regiments were known for their ruthless use of the bayonet and we're the most feared troops in King George the 3rd's army. Instead, they were drunk, passed out the whole night, all the way to the morning when the American army took them by suprise, pulling off one of the biggest victories of the war.
The myth that the Hessians were drunk is just that, a myth. Washington's troops marched to Trenton in a Nor'easter, and they were upon the Hessians at Trenton before the Hessians knew they were there. There was also an attack on Trenton earlier that night by another group of Americans, which kept the Hessians on alert all night. They were exhausted when Washington attacked. I highly recommend the book Washington's Crossing. It dispels all the myths of the battle.
You are right. Very few could have been tipsy; if anything, they were worn out by the frequent alarms (in frigid weather) and unscheduled patrols they'd been subjected to for the 3-4 days prior to the battle. One such patrol unwittingly turned back just 1/4 mile short of being able to spot Washington's leading elements headed toward the town! Rall had requested permission to fortify key points in and near Trenton, which could have made his position more secure and helped to reduce the operational tempo, but he was refused permission to do so ("unnecessary before this enemy, and in any event damaging to the Hessian reputation").
If I am not mistaken the Hessian were caught in the early morning, hungover, unprepared, and many died in their long johns. In other words they never rallied to a fighting position which was in fact their distinct advantage.
In the mindset of the time what Washington did was borderline unethical and to the British sensibility "barbarous".
As to the Hessian, they were mercenaries in the sense that they were hired to fight. The fact that they were "pawns" of German princes that rented them out to the British doesn't change the fact that they were hired
@Nathaniel Lionheart they sure was they raped and tortured American civilians nothing but savages but many did fight for Washington after Trenton all so look up look up the black robe regiment nothing but southern Christian priests btw considered they best regiment is the southern colonies
@@soundchaser56 interesting
At 4:26 when he mentions "yankee gunners" he throws a look at Henry Knox.
Washington was a true badass ...and a Gentleman to boot
Yes Washington is a great badass, but the actor who plays him in this movie plays him so badly and the portray him so inaccurately.
His slaves lived him.
"Try me, General Gates. Only try me."
[CUE "THUG LIFE" MUSIC]
GODDAMN, SON. (That's what I said the first time I saw this on A&E, too.)
snidelywhiplash
Yes--this was my favorite line in the movie. Too cool.
Yes!! He fried Gates - epic scene!!
@@kleighmarie Horatio Gates was no friend of George Washington, or the patriot cause for that matter.
This scene gave me goose bumps just to realize how much the odds were against us and how history hung on the balance. Not just at Trenton, but we were facing off against a Global Empire with almost unlimited resources and with the best army in the world at that time.
J Dee I felt the same way.. the scene gave you that tinge of fear..
We still are controlled by English and Jewish bankers
“us”?
@@squidgert566 We'll the United States would not be here today if not for what happened during that time. By saying "us" I mean me and every true American who is here today and has The Constitution as our highest law. You may not care about this, but me and a lot of other people do. What happened then affect us today.
@@jdee8407 were you involved in any of it? “Them” is more appropriate, while not downgrading anything they have done to be independent nor the massive help of the French to piss off the Bri’ish.
You can admire people and/or your descendants have done without taking any credits for something you have absolutely no hand into.
I once came through Valley Forge in deep winter....comfortably seated in a heated greyhound bus.....what misery those men must have withstood.
David Parry - And we are letting it all go to hell...
Miserable, yes, but I was told by a former park ranger there that the snow was seldom more than ankle-deep. He learned quickly that this was something the public did not want to hear!
I am proud to say that one of my ancestors was at Valley Forge and made the crossing to attack Trenton...and lived to tell about it.
David Parry, I just recently went down to Baltimore and visited Fort Mchenry, where Francis Scott Key wrote the National Anthem. Even though it was a different war I would not have wanted to be the men on that Fort when the British were bombing them. It was freezing and the wind was brutal during the time I was there. Can only imagine what Valley Forge would have been like in the dead of winter further up north.
The issue at Valley Forge wasn't the snow. It did snow there during the encampment, quite often...in fact, the army marched in during a snowstorm. But, as anybody who lives in SE PA will tell you, the winters in this region are not bad because of snow, rather, it is because of the swings in temperature.
During February and March in particular, it is not uncommon for SE PA to get 12 inches of snow, and two days later have the temperatures reach 60 degrees. During the 18th century, when roads were rough on a good day, and when sanitation was about the same, you can understand what it must have been like to not only try to get supplies to an encampment whose roads are easily 20 inches deep with mud, or to try to maintain sanitary conditions when the latrines froze, thawed, froze, then thawed again in a matter of 48 hours.
Many of the European officers who were at Valley Forge during 1777/78 sent letters home and to their aides complaining of the awful weather conditions: snow or freezing rain for a week, followed by 2 days of temperatures in the high 50s, followed by 2 days of heavy rain downpours...Animal carcasses, which weren't buried deep enough to begin with, would literally rise to the surface of the mud smelling horribly and attracting all kinds of vermin...Poorly placed latrines would overflow into the camp water supplies, the air was filled with the waste of thousands of soldiers. It was a petri dish for diseases like dysentery, small pox, typhus, etc. And unfortunately those diseases struck with a vengeance.
In 6 months time nearly 2500 soldiers of the Continental Army died, mostly from disease, and thousands more would become ill. There are small cemeteries throughout the region with a dozen, or twenty, or fifty soldiers buried who became ill at VF and were removed to both keep the diseases from spreading and keep the morale of the men up as much as possible.
It was in every way a perfect storm, but the men who marched out of the encampment had gone through hell, and they were the toughest of the lot. It was a crucible in every sense of the word, but that horrible winter created an army that could stand toe to toe with the British, and would just a few weeks later at Monmouth.
Classic scene! I remember viewing this when it first aired on television. I think this particular clip is very well chosen as a means of inspiration, for those of us who know what we are up against in our struggle for the freedom of the human soul. The title of the film, as well as its message, reveals to us that we must all ultimately face that crucial moment of decision, that moment when we must choose to either submit or cross the threshold...with Inner Courage, Spiritual Maturity & Boldness.
Well said. I watch this for that reason
There was one flaw in this movie. There was no blizzard occurring as they re-enacted the crossing of the Delaware. Washington's army had to cross the river, which was clogged with ice, in a blinding blizzard, making the passage dangerous. But the whole army did crossed safely without the loss of a man.
R Hayndr we need true heroes like Washington today honestly. How those lads survived that turmoil, the cold, starving, outnumbered and exhausted, yet they kicked the Hessians asses so bad that they gave up without all that much of a fight. Funny enough, December 26th is my birthday, and funny enough still, I live in New Jersey! Go figure!
Skyrim2018 Wow. your birthday was on Washington's victory at Trenton. Lucky you. 2,000 men left in the American army and they pulled off one of the biggest victories of the Revolution. Next big victory was Princeton. despite lacking supplies, Washington inspired his men not to give up and they kept the revolution alive.
I think Washington himself answers you here skyrim, the 2000 he had left were the ones that had NOT deserted or run. they were the ones that served him and the cause through everything. Proven by the fact that they were sitting in the snow in December in New Jersey, with not enough blankets , food or weapons. Yet the fact that they WERE still there despite all that proves that they were fully capable of pulling off this Military Miracle. I believe Washington understood this. Gates certainly didn't
*R Hayndr* does this movie also have a black man Prince Whipple who held the lantern to help George Washington cross the Delaware safely and in doing so he froze to death still holding the lantern. The history books say he was in the boat but he froze to death bringing General Washington safely to shore.
Paupers Budget. Oh, man. That's tragic. I didn't know that. Thanks for telling me this.
I have seen this movie at least 3 times on British TV... this is an outstanding film..
Richard Brighton help me with the title please
Luis Hernandez it’s called The Crossing
The British run it ? LOL.. that is awesome and surprising at the same time ..I wasn't sure they would play any Revolutionary War movies as we usually paint them as pretty arrogant and the baddy. It is a great movie though ..:)
@@historygeekslive8243, it does seem a bit odd, but the Brits have a weird love-hate of their own history and culture. Even contemporaneous to the time, there were those IN the British Parliament that wanted to settle with the Americans, and not just because it seemed a waste of resources, but because they genuinely were sympathetic to the cause.
Remember, too, that 'we' were the first major loss of their Empire, and I wonder if in some odd way they are almost inversely proud that their truculent offspring grew up so 'big and strong', even if it was a fight to make it happen.
i love this scene. it shows what our FIRST commander in chief is all about. no one, and i mean NO ONE has displayed this kind of resolve.
idk man lots of people have also! alexander the great maybe! ceasar, king harald of Battle of Hastings, patton, Alfred the great, frederick the great, etc…
i was talking about the United States, i am sorry you misunderstood.
@@robertsnyder1890 General Patton
Jeff Daniels may be the most underrated actor of our generation, His performances as Washington, of which he had several , I believe are the best on film. His roles as union officers in multiple Civil War films are also head and shoulders above.
Gates wanted command. But how he belittled Washington was nothing short of insulting & underming
The historical Gates wanted Washington's command but was never as forthright as this.
That's not soldiering.
Horatio Gates: “I believe sir, that you surely meant to say *undermining*.”
I don’t know how historically accurate that scene is but it is a great one..
This was my favorite scene. THNX FOR POSTING!
Have to say Jeff Daniels does an excellent job as Washington
Bold, crazy, and necessary for victory-thank you.
This is one of my favorite scenes in this movie
My great-great-great grandfather was a man named Barnard Cass. His brother, Major Johnathan Cass fought at Bunker Hill and was with Washington at Valley Forge. I appreciate both the men who fought and the people who , more recently put this history on the silver screen.
Before watching this film I had never thought of Jeff Daniels as much of an actor. But this movie proved me wrong as he was excellent as General George Washington. Great film. I bought it.
He was also great in Gettysburg.
I was the same way.. He was awesome.
The American Patriot, Subscribed because your videos are so much fun!
No, it's not just you. We should have more movies depicting our fore father's Damn, bloody well inspiring!
“On Christmas Day, for the first time, we attack them.”
THE Founding Father
Often, the most successful character actors have more genuine talent than the movie stars they support. One of the reasons Jeff Daniels is so good is that he's A GREAT CHARACTER ACTOR whose acting TALENT elevated him to stardom. His greatest gift is soliloquy. Give him a long speech in a pivotable scene and he ALWAYS knocks it out of the park. I recommend you watch the UA-cam videos, "The Most Honest Three Minutes In Television History" and "Colonel Joshua Chamberlain Speech" as examples of his gift.
After seeing Dumb and Dumber, I can't help but laugh when I see Daniels. He really nailed that role, but was excellent in this one as well.
I got worms
@@jasonbourne5142, you and RFK Jr. both.
@@cynicallydepressed1 calm down Biden lover
It is a damn shame that Gates did not try Washington, it would have helped the cause greatly if Hamilton has shot Granny Gates!
Incidentally if Gates died at Saratoga, command would’ve fallen to his second-in-command, Benedict Arnold. This in turn would’ve rendered any possible betrayal from Arnold moot at the Congress would have been forced to acknowledge him and may have prevented him from being trapped in New York. Tl;dr the nation’s first Secretary of War could very well have been Benedict Arnold.
I'm still waiting for Powdered Wigs to come back into style!
Give it some more time
throughtout the Commonwealth judicial robes and powdered wigs are still worn - especially in africa.
@Confederate Cowboy What is?
LOL
Great Job !!! I like watching it too on Christmas!!!!!!!
I do enjoy the early Anglo-American gentlemanly English with occasional profanity.
This is a great movie. They could never make enough movies about the Rev War.
To this day, Washington's tactics are taught in military schools from N Korea, to China, to Russia and S America.
What an impact!
And totally redeem yourself!
As an American- I'm thankful Washington had such persuasive dinner manners. Wouldn't have a country without him.
We watched this movie in my history class and in the beginning I saw the name Sebastian Roché and my jaw fell open since I know him as Balthazar from supernatural and I realized him in this scene as the man in the brown coat I couldn't stop giggling to myself the entire movie 😆
I know, I'm waiting for Sam & Dean to show up!!!
THIS IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE!
GREAT SCENE, THEY PICKED THE PERFECT PERSON TO PLAY GEORGE WASHINGTON 👏 BRAVO JEFF DANIELS.
I HAVE THIS MOVIE MEMORIZED.
Great movie. One of the definitive representations of George Washington.
Jeff Daniels is so good at this. So very Washington. "FUCK OFF GATES!"
Great portrayal with one critique...I would think Washington would have an aristocratic Virginian accent of the times.
Remember when A&E made kickass historical movies?
General Ghates spent the entire war trying to undermine Washington. If he had taken command of the Continental Army, there would be no United States as we know it. He was a failed ex-British Army Officer looking to feather his own nest in glory and recognition. Wrongfully credited with the victory at Saratoga and ultimately blamed for the defeat at Camden I believe he would have eventually capitulated and surrendered the Continental Army to the British and sued for peace leaving America's future to the hands of the British.
great guy , lived by us in St Clair Shores, Mi
Top notch dude...
When I was little I wanted to marry George Washington
Claire Baire you’d a had to fight off Martha
You must be very, very old.
That’s interesting. Never heard that one before.
I HAVE heard women say that FDR was hot, but I can’t see it.
I bet Lisa Simpson did too! 😘
Punch Doubtful. He owned slaves and she’s a liberal.
My ancestor, Theophilus Clarke, crossed the Delaware and fought at Trenton and wintered at Valley Forge. Crossing the Delaware saved the war. Remarkable.
Loved this movie and Jeff Daniels hit a grand slammer, in my opinion. Driving to NJ to see these historical sites. Love my American Revolution!!!
Great... we will do this road trip to see some Am. Rev. sites. Regards.
Strategically insane ... yet, militarily BRILLIANT.
my history class laughed at the “TRY ME WASHINGTON”
Gates
" To attack requires the other direction ". That was cold.
Spoken by a guy that can't find the north end of a horse. Only one that is incompetence was Gates.
I've heard this story many times, I think this is the first time I realized that not only did we cross a frozen river on Christmas to kill the Hessians in their sleep, it was the first time our army had actually taken the fight to the enemy.
An audacious attack to start with.
My memory neither confirms nor denies this right now, but I'll have to read up on the early history of the war.
Any good strategist knows you don't have to win an insurgency against an occupying force. You just have to not lose it. Giap knew, Washington knew it. Hell, every flea bitten Afghani tribal chief knows it. You don't need money or technology. You just need the will and patience to bleed along with your enemy until his resolve waivers.
Giáp knew because he had the example of the American commander; they had outright defeated the French at Diem Bin Phu.
Great movie! Well done! Daniels is wonderful !
he played Washington the way i wanted him to be. i an sure Washington was not so different than the character he portrayed.
Washington was an amazing man
Operations during Christmas, already wearing crap clothing, having to cross a half frozen river in sturdy boats that were still wet inside (as boats tend to be), then facing a storm of rain & snow, finally attacking professional troops....those boys were tough SOBs.
Daniels greatest performance.
"On Christmas day, for the first time, we attack them." No general, you attack the day AFTER Christmas.
Truly better men came before us, and we are poor imitations of manliness in comparison, they are at rest and their swords sheathed, but their sacred honor will burn for all time, every time some little guy stands up to a bully or justice prevails, it is their doing. Thank you All mighty God for sending Gen Washington and his gallant men who bequeathed freedom and a disdain for tyranny into the world. They may have died but their deeds echo into eternity.
C O Recreation: very well said. It is OK to cry in shame as we recognize the greatness of the continental army and Washington.
We now have a domestic enemy we must someday deal with or this precious thing called freedom will disappear. As Ronald Reagan stated, "Freedom is only a generation removed". We keep taking steps in that direction, slowly but execrably.
Awesome comment. So true.
War is an awful thing. Never think we are better for murdering others.
Daniels is one of the best actors of this generation...he is so underrated...Dumb and Dumber should have one an Oscar for best picture....really...
6:48 Put your pistol on him, Alex, and if he tries to take his men with him, do not throw away your shot.
I went to the reenactment of the crossing Christmas day 2019 for the first time and it was a great experience, the weather however was in the 50s a far cry from the freezing temperatures they had that day, I was on the Jersey side, there were over a thousand people between the Pennsylvania and Jersey side, the only problem was the parking, if anyone is thinking of going either arrive very early or prepare to walk a mile or two the actual crossing started at 1pm.
I've been there several times as well. One thing that really got me is just how difficult those Durham boats those are to maneuver. Almost all the boats trouble to find the Jersey Shore and kept going off course. I can only imagine doing it in the middle of the night with snow.
We desperately need leadership such as this great man today!!
Stop voting for businessmen and vote for veterans. Eisenhower was the last great President, for a reason. Men like Trump and Biden have no self discipline and cower at the very moment when bravery, courage and sacrifice are needed.
The People play follow the leader, and America has been following cowards since the day JFK was murdered by Allen Dulles.
Jag Ncis NCIS la. Merry Christmas
This is really a true jem. Jeff Daniel's really brings Washington to life.
I feel like the best depiction of General Washington was in the John Adams HBO special.
Just showed this clip to my world history high school class. They were into it :)
Glover’s face throughout - priceless 🤣
Actually, Washington and Gates met alone that night. When Washington understood that Gates’ presence would only undermine troop morale, he ordered the general out of camp. Two of Washington's soldiers froze to death on the march to Trenton and 6 were wounded in the action, so there were casualties. Alexander Hamilton was not part of the attack on Trenton, a young James Monroe was. Movies like this are dramatizations of events and should not be relied upon for historical accuracy.
True enough, but I do believe that Hamilton commanded two guns on the high ground at Trenton along side Baumann's company.
@@rwesser1 You are correct, Hamilton's performances at Trenton and Princeton gained him the notoriety he desired. I should have said Hamilton was not yet on Washington's staff.
i'd give my life for that man, George Washington.
What a scene this was Jeff Daniels was superb in standing up to Gen. Gates.
I think he put him in his place.
at 1:50 I was expecting to hear "our pet's heads are falling off"
What made Washington so... unique... compared to pretty much every American general in history was an unrelenting vision and perseverance. No other general had such high quality in both.
I am not saying he was a 'perfect' general. As tactician some of the other generals in the war on both sides were better. However he understood his role as the top commander much better than any other American general in history.
G Washington: the greatest American hero
In the actual history the confrontation, if there was one, was less dramatic. Gates did not take part in the attack on Trenton, claiming to be ill.
As a general rule 18th century armies went into winter quarters between approximately October and March and Trenton was certainly unexpected behaviour.