The Crossing (2000)

Early December, 1776.  With his army retreating from the British, General Washington (Jeff Daniels) is forced to steal boats to get across the river to the comparative safety of Pennsylvania. In the 6 months since the Declaration of Independence, Washington had suffered defeat after defeat.  His army has shrunk to 2000 men, many of whom would go home when their service concluded at the end of the month.  Then there was news from the Continental Congress; they have retreated to Baltimore since Philadelphia was now undefended.  General Gates suggested surrender.  It was indeed bleak.  However, intelligence arrived that 1200 Hessians were stationed at Trenton, just across the Delaware River.  Washington proposed a plan that most of his staff viewed as lunatic.  Hessians were the best troops in Europe while Washington had volunteer farmers.  Nonetheless, he pressed forward with his plan.  If he didn't do something, the revolution was indeed over.

Daniels is good as Washington.  In his hands, Washington comes to life as a real person rather than a mythic figure.  The only quibble would be his comment about Henry Knox's balls.  Beyond Washington, this is the tale of Colonel John Glover (Sebastian Roche), who managed the boats.  This may be Glover's first appearance on film.  Among Washington's officers are Lt. Alexander Hamilton, General Hugh Mercer, General William 'Lord' Stirling, and General Nathaniel Greene, most of whom became major figures of the revolution or the early republic.  There are a couple of details left out of the movie.  First, the Hessian commander had an unopened letter that revealed Washington's impending attack.  Second, James Monroe, future president, was part of the attack.  He was seriously wounded in the action.  However, he was not party of the Crossing, as he was already in New Jersey.

This is a terrific movie and a great glimpse at a pivotal point in the revolution.  Highly recommended.

Sons of Liberty (2015)

Samuel Adams (Ben Barnes) is a widower.  Sometime before the story begins, he was appointed as a tax collector.  However, he has done a poor job of it, being 8,000 pounds in arrears.  Governor Hutchinson (Sean Gilder) ordered his arrest, which led to a chase through the dark and gloomy streets of Boston.  Unable to catch Adams, those who failed to pay taxes to Adams are instead arrested.  Riots followed and Adams was viewed as the leader of these 'Sons of Liberty.'  Hutchinson called upon John Hancock (Rafe Spall) to deal with Adams.  Hancock paid off Adams' debts and resolved his legal problems.  Hutchinson was not amused.  Tensions in Boston grew until, in 1770, the Boston Massacre tipped the balance to the Sons of Liberty.  Soon followed the Boston Tea Party (1773), The Quartering Act (1774), the Battles of Lexington & Concord (1775), Bunker Hill (1775), and the Declaration of Independence (1776).

The casting is questionable.  Paul Revere (Michael Raymond-James) is elevated to command Bunker Hill when he was not even present.  However, it was easier to expand his role than add more characters to an already full cast.  Sam Adams was 43 years-old in 1765 and 54 when the miniseries concludes.  By contrast, Ben Barnes was only 34.  He is a young hot head with no impulse control and a rage that bubbles just beneath the surface in many scenes.  Though he is shown as a widower, he has no kids.  In fact, Adams had 2 children, Sam Jr (who would have been 14 in the opening and 25 at the conclusion), and Hannah (9 to 20).  John Adams (Henry Thomas) comes across as the older and wiser cousin despite being 13 years younger than Sam.  Margaret Kemble Gage (Emily Berrington) was 40 when she arrived in Boston, a decade older than the actress.  Committing treason against her husband has been suggested; she was born and raised in New Jersey.  John Hancock comes across as an effete snob with all the passion of a wet towel.  He is so wishy-washy and indecisive that one would expect his signature to be a meek scrawl, not the dominant Alpha signature of history.  General Gage (Marton Csokas) is painted as evil incarnate, a man who did everything he could to alienate the colonists.  In truth, many accused him of being too lenient.  Gage was in a difficult position, having to implement unpopular laws while having limited forces.  

Many of the incidents are turned up to 11 to add some excitement.  During the Boston Tea Party, Sam Adams stands in full view and defiantly stares down a score of redcoats while tea is hurled over the side.  Revere takes down British soldiers during his ride in feats of fisticuffs and gunplay.  Joseph Warren leapt over the redoubt of Bunker Hill and charged down the hill to fight hand to hand with red coats and even General Gage.  Not only is Margaret's role as Warren's intelligence source included, she becomes his lover.  Yes, changes have been made to spice up the narrative, but it gets the gist correct.

Just okay.