The Crossing (1999)

Review by All Movie Guide
This low-cost production is high on historical accuracy and overall quality. Credit its success mainly to Howard Fast's intelligent script, Jeff Daniels' realistic portrayal of Gen. George Washington, and the cinematographer's rousing action sequences. Because of its length, its faithfulness to history, and its fast-moving plot, the production is ideal for showing to history students. In the film, Daniels is almost exactly the same weight, height, and age as Washington at the Battle of Trenton. But what really makes his performance convincing is his textbook depiction of Washington as a steady, conscientious, and sometimes irascible leader who refuses to yield in the face of battlefield losses, dwindling supplies, and a force of just 2,400 ragtag volunteers under his command. Though appearing only briefly, Sebastian Roche also performs brilliantly. He portrays Col. John Glover, the salty New Englander who finances his own army unit, the Marblehead Fishermen, and secures the boats to ferry Washington and his troops across the Delaware River in a heavy snowstorm on Christmas night, 1776. Throughout the production, Fast's script incorporates historical facts that educate the viewer about how perilously close the colonial army was to losing the war, and how important Washington was to turning the tide. One major disappointment in the production is the filming locale -- Ontario and Alberta, Canada, rather than eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. The scenery may look authentic, but just knowing that it isn't spoils the sense of realism the film achieves in other ways. Nevertheless, The Crossing is a good film, fully deserving its Peabody Award, its American Society of Cinematographers' Award, and its Emmy nomination. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide