The Crossing

Crossing the Delaware on Christmas night to take down a Hessian garrison

Shot in April-May, 1999, this is a realistic account of George Washington’s audacious gamble precisely when his demoralized scanty army needed a victory. As for Jeff Daniels as the iconic Father of America, who would’ve thought that one of the stars of “Dumb and Dumber” could pull off the challenging role? Yet he does so superbly.

While some minor things are inaccurate and included for dramatic reasons, such as what happens to General Gates, this is the next best thing to going back in history and being there since it focuses on the bleak setting, the risky plan and its execution. Although Mel Gibson’s “The Patriot” is a worthwhile American Revolution movie, it’s fictional story within the backdrop of serious history, whereas Washington’s crossing of the Delaware at night and surprise attack on the Hessians is real history.

I’m a fan of the underrated “Gods and Generals,” which came out three years after this and also featured Jeff Daniels in a key role, and this is cut from the same cloth, just covering historical events 85 years earlier, not to mention less than half as long.

It runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in Morrisburg, Ontario, which is 244 miles east of Toronto on the St. Lawrence River, as well as areas nearer the city, Hamilton, and Stouffville.

GRADE: A-