Young Washington (2026)
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A historical drama follows the early military experiences of George Washington during the French and Indian War.
The story
In 1743, following the death of his father, George Washington is raised by his half-brother Lawrence, who teaches him land surveying instead of a formal education. In 1753, in Williamsburg, Virginia, Washington is denied a commission into the British Army due to his colonial background. However, he is eventually accepted into the Virginia Militia. Assigned to the Ohio Country to deliver a message to the French, Washington must navigate the complexities of early frontier warfare and the escalating tensions of the French and Indian War, beginning his journey as a soldier in the face of growing conflict.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following his entry into the Virginia Militia, Washington travels to the Ohio Country where he meets Mingo warriors and delivers a message to the French. After the French refuse to leave, he is promoted to major. During a skirmish, the French are attacked and the leader Jumonid is killed. Back in Williamsburg, Washington faces scrutiny for the escalation of war. He later serves as a colonel at Fort Necessity, where he is forced to surrender and signs a document admitting responsibility for the death of Jumonid. After his brother's death and a period of resignation, Washington's mother restores his faith. In 1755, he joins the Braddock Expedition as an aide-de-camp. During a French and Canadian ambush, Washington emerges from illness to lead the Virginia men in a rear guard action. Despite the British defeat, his bravery earns him the rank of colonel and a reputation for being protected by Providence.
- First release year
- 2026
- Runtime (minutes)
- 120
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Jon Erwin
- Writers
- Jon Erwin · co-writer; Tom Provost · co-writer; Diederik Hoogstraten · co-writer
- Cast and characters
- William Franklyn-Miller · George Washington; Ben Kingsley · Robert Dinwiddie; Andy Serkis · Edward Braddock; Joel Smallbone · George William Fairfax; Kelsey Grammer · Thomas Fairfax
- Genres
- historical war drama; biographical drama
- Themes
- leadership; patriotism
- Tone and mood
- earnest; historical
- Setting
- 1743-1755, Virginia and the Ohio Country.
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; war; historical
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its battle sequences and earnest portrayal of Washington, though some critics found the storytelling muted or the pacing dull.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 6.1 · scale: 10 · review count: 59; Metacritic · score: 49 · scale: 100 · review count: 13
- Production trivia
- A sequel titled 1776 is in development.; The film was shot in Ireland and Virginia.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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