History Film / TheCrossing

** Washington denounces the Hessians as "Mercenaries" and "Men who kill for profit". In real life, the Hessians were traditional German soldiers, no different than the Redcoats, who had simply been hired out by their German overlords to serve the British Empire.

* PsychoForHire: Washington's opinion of the Hessians. In truth, most of the foot soldiers were ill-treated conscripts who had no say in being shipped off to fight in America (in fact, the epilogue states that after the war, some Hessians actually chose to stay in America and went on to become American citizens).

* TheSpymaster: We see hints of Washington's information network, both in letters and an in-person meeting with a contact.[[note]]Though not shown, Washington also had one of his spies convince the British that the Continental Army was terribly ragged and demoralized--which was easy to believe, being true--and so there was no way they would ever attack Trenton.[[/note]]

* TheSpymaster: We see hints of Washington's information network, both in letters and an in-person meeting with a contact.

** The film claims America suffered no casualties in the Battle of Trenton. This is not quite true, although casualties were remarkably light. In real life, two American soldiers froze to death on the march to Trenton, while another five were wounded during the battle itself. One of them was an 18-year old lieutenant named James Monroe, who would go on become governor of Virginia and the President of the United States.

* ArtisticLincenseHistory:

* PsychoForHire: Washington's opinion of the Hessians. In truth, most of the foot soldiers were ill-treated conscripts who had no say in being shipped off to fight in America.

** In the movie, the Americans suffer no casualties. In the real battle, two men died of hypothermia during the march, while two were killed and two were wounded in the battle itself. (Which is still an astoundingly low number, but not EverybodyLives.)

--> '''Mercer:''' They say the General [Howe] has her flat on her back every afternoon, fornicating like a fifteen-year-old.
--> '''Washington:''' [{{beat}}.] Well that's very stimulating, Hugh, but what does it have to do with me?

* NotSoDifferent: Washington is disgusted by the Hessians, as they are only hired mercenaries fighting for profit; while the British at least have an excuse to not want the Colonials to be free. Gen. Nathaniel Greene gives a little speech on the matter, pointing out that one of their own chief complaints is overtaxation, and that everyone ultimately fights for profit.

* LastWords: After he is mortally wounded, Colonel Rall requests to speak to Washington. Washington initially refuses to see him, but is convinced to go by his officers. Washington approaches him and says only, "I am Washington." Colonel Rall requests that Washington treat his defeated Hessian soldiers with honor, and promptly dies. Washington, without a word, simply turns on his heels and walks out.

* LastWords: After he is wounded, Colonel Rall requests to speak to Washington before he dies. Washington initially refuses to see him, but is convinced to go by his officers. Washington approaches him and says only, "I am Washington." Colonel Rall requests that Washington treat his defeated Hessian troops with honor, and promptly dies. Washington, without a word, simply turns on his heels and walks out.

* WhereAreTheyNow: Sort of anyway. The characters are all long dead (of course), but the epilogue reveals their fates.

* IdiotBall: General Howe withdrawing all of his troops except for the 1200 Hessians. Washington is both incredulous and insulted to realize that his army is NotWorthKilling.

Although it takes some liberties with the facts of the battle (see HollywoodHistory for details) ''The Crossing'' portrays the struggles of Washington and the Continental Army in a realistic and unromantic way.

* AnAssKickingChristmas: Yup. Actually a part of Washington's plans, at least in the movie and popular legend.

** Very much so. It's actually one reason he feels obligated to make one final attempt at a victory, because he feels he owes it to the lads who have not deserted.

* BadassBookworm: Henry Knox, who is mocked by Glover for being fat and ran a bookshop before the war, is an ''excellent'' artilleryman.
** "Excellent" doesn't quite cover it. General Knox (for whom Fort Knox, Kentucky was named) was considered a natural genius in the use of artillery by his British enemies, and has come to be considered one of the greatest artillery officers the world has ever seen.

* DarkestHour: The American Revolution had a lot of very, very low points, but the end titles state that this was the worst of them.

* AFatherToHisMen: Very much so. It's actually one reason he feels obligated to make one final attempt at a victory, because he feels he owes it to the lads who have not deserted.

* FourStarBadass: Washington, front and center.

** A key part of Washington's plan (and why it still succeeds despite running into daylight) is that the Hessians are hungover from their Christmas celebrations. Although some of Washington's staff ''did'' truly think this would be the case, the Hessians had been warned that the Continentals were planning something and apparently did not revel, although they were still caught off-guard.

* ItsPersonal: Washington is absolutely livid at the Hessians for killing his retreating troops in Brooklyn.

* PsychoForHire: Washington's opinion of the Hessians. In reality, most of the foot soldiers were ill-treated conscripts who had no say in being shipped off to fight in America.

* RealityIsUnrealistic: A battle against ''Hessians'' fought by ill-trained, dispirited farmers and militiamen and [[spoiler:and there were no Continental casualties? Yeah right!]][[labelnote:*]]In fact, there were two casualties... but they died of hypothermia, not Hessians.[[/labelnote]]
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Gates gives one to Washington. Washington more or less responds with "go to hell" and takes his troops.

''The Crossing'' is a 2000 made-for-TV movie that aired on A&E, depicting the first Battle of Trenton in UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution. It stars Jeff Daniels as UsefulNotes/GeorgeWashington and follows him through December, 1776 as he tries to find a way to save his army and the Revolution from disintegration after a desperate retreat across the Delaware.