The Crossing (2000 film)

Did You Know?

• The film won a Peabody Award for excellence in 2000.
• Cinematographer Rene Ohashi won the 2001 ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movies of the Week/Mini-Series/Pilot.
• The sound team was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special.

Plot

Following a series of defeats in the 1776 campaign of the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Army retreats across New Jersey. In the preceding six months, they have lost New York City and been pursued by the British, with ninety percent of their troops killed, captured, or deserting. The army narrowly escapes across the Delaware River to the Pennsylvania shore, taking possession of the only usable boats on that stretch, which prevents immediate British pursuit until the river freezes and allows the enemy to cross toward Philadelphia.

General Hugh Mercer informs General George Washington that supplies of food, medicine, ammunition, and winter clothing are critically low. Realizing the Revolution will collapse without action, Washington devises a plan to recross the Delaware and surprise the Hessian garrison at Trenton. He consults Colonel John Glover, a mariner from Marblehead, Massachusetts, whose men have previously conducted evacuations by boat. Glover deems the task of moving the troops across the river in one night during freezing weather impossible but agrees to do it because it is necessary.

Washington presents the plan to his staff; General Horatio Gates criticizes it and suggests Washington resign. Washington orders Gates silenced and has Alexander Hamilton escort him from camp at gunpoint. After Gates leaves, the officers laugh, but Washington and Glover remind them of the grave situation and risks. The attack is set for early morning after Christmas night, when the Hessians will be tired from feasting and drinking. The officers have only days to prepare, and soldiers are told little to preserve surprise.

Anachronisms and errors

The film contains several minor historical inaccuracies. In December 1776, Gates was not removed from camp at gunpoint as depicted. Alexander Hamilton had not yet joined Washington's staff at the time of the crossing; during the Battle of Trenton, Hamilton commanded an artillery battery that fired from a high point near the town center, preventing the Hessians from organizing. The closing credits state that none of Washington's men were killed or wounded, but in fact two soldiers froze to death during the march and five were wounded, including James Monroe.