The Crossing DVD

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It is a shame that history teachers don't all present historic figures and events in real time. The truth of history is so much more than dates and places. This production does away with the myths (mostly) and presents George Washington as a real human being. There was little "glamourous" about this pioneering days. Most people today would run for the airport to get back to a more comfortable safe place if they were plunged into the early history of our country.

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My avocation is American History, and I always made sure that we included places of historical interest in our vacation schedule for our 3 kids as they grew up. Luckily I recorded the original TV presentation, but literally wore the VHS tape out. The DVD holds an honored place in my collection of American historical materials. It depicts the Revolution at the cusp of failure, only to be saved by a gaggle of determined citizen soldiers, both officers and enlisted men, who followed Washington in the effort to rescue it from the jaws of failure; no wonder, then, the strength of our current military, all-volunteer as Washington preferred, and two-thirds of which are citizen soldiers in the National Guard and the Reserves. It depicts American ingenuity at its best, portrays the truism that a small group can accomplish miracles, and verifies a major American tactic of armed conflict, which is to deprive one's enemy of its command and control, whether by the Kentucky Rifle in the hands of an American sharpshooter, or by a Precision Guided Munition in the hands of an Air Force Strike Eagle crew. Most of all, it portrays Washington's magnetism, and the simple answer to his simple question, why his men followed him into the jaws of the unknown, and his subordinate's pithy response, that his men trusted him and, verily, loved him. There is also depicted the subtle but unmistakable Hand of Providence at work in the birth pains of a new nation. It is no wonder, then, that Washington would ultimately prevail, and the contents of this chapter in American history presents it all for the viewer to ponder. How fitting this event is known as The Crossing, the time during which Washington and his ragged Army parted the waters of the Delaware to take the Revolution from the Unthinkable to the Possible.

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What's most important to me about this film is the wholeness with which Washington is represented. We tend to see him as a marble statue rather than a man. Jeff Daniels' portrayal is outstanding. He really captures the focus and passion of the man and the near crushing challenges he and his army faced in the late days of '76. As I viewed its first broadcast in 2000 I called my brother, (another history buff), to tell him to tune in--he already had. I wrote to A&E to urge the production of a DVD, (a first for me), while wearing out my VHS copy. The locations were masterfully chosen and the supporting cast, in particular Roger Rees and Sebastian La Roche were exceptional. Whether you are looking for a near-documentary dramatization of the Battle of Trenton or wanting to be inspired by a story of courage and determination you cannot do better than The Crossing

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My children and I enjoyed this take on history come to life. We love George Washington and the acting was pretty good.

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This film is incredibly accurate. Although it has a few lulls, that is expected in a historic movie seeking accuracy. I enjoy showing this film to my students, because it gives them a real sense of the dismal conditions which the Continental Army was in throughout most of the American Revolution. Another point, it shows an aspect that most students dont know about...and that is, that the British hired German mercenaries, named Hessians, to help them in their efforts against the colonists.

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Very enjoyable and informative. As a lover of history, especially American History, I found this production interesting, as far as enlightening the audience to facts that may not have been common knowledge, about George Washington himself and also the battle at Valley Forge.

The difficulties, especially logistically, that he and his officers faced were monumental. It's beyond reason to explain how they won.