Young Washington Review: Before There Was a General, There Was a Young Man

America’s 250th anniversary celebration is officially underway, and with it comes Young Washington, the latest historical epic from director Jon Erwin and the team at Wonder Project and Angel Studios. We know Jon and the team can tackle the Old Testament, but can they tackle American History?

Perhaps it’s because I had just seen Hamilton the week before, but as the film began, one lyric kept echoing in my head: “Here comes the General!” In Hamilton they call it “The Moment You’ve Been Waiting For…” However, the challenge and the opportunity of Young Washington is that the man we’re introduced to is not that general.

He’s not the commanding figure crossing the Delaware. He’s not the first President of the United States. He’s not the marble monument or the portrait hanging in a classroom. Instead, we meet a fairly mild yet prescient young George Washington who is still finding his footing, still making mistakes, still trying to understand his place in the world. In many ways, he’s even a loyal subject of the British Crown. That may take a moment for modern American audiences to adjust to.

This is very much an origin story.

In fact, one thing I wish I had known going into the film is just how committed it is to telling the “before” chapter of Washington’s life. We catch only a fleeting glimpse of the Washington most of us learned about in school near the film’s conclusion. If that’s a spoiler, it’s a minor one, but I think it’s an important expectation to set.

The movie isn’t primarily interested in showing us Washington’s greatest victories. It’s interested in showing us the trials that shaped the man who would eventually achieve them.

I understand that instinct because I’ve been guilty of it myself. Years ago, I directed a film about the early life of Walt Disney (As Dreamers Do still streaming everywhere). My thinking was simple: everyone already knows the happy ending. Let’s show what got him there. Ironically, one of the most common criticisms of that film was that audiences wanted more time with the Walt Disney they knew and loved.

I found myself feeling a bit of that here.

The final moments of Young Washington gave me the version of George Washington I’ve always pictured in my mind, and I wanted even more time with him. That’s not necessarily a criticism so much as a testament to how effectively the film builds toward that transformation. As a former Virginian, I admit I approach stories about the Founding Fathers with a certain amount of reverence. Thankfully, Erwin’s film never feels interested in tearing down its subject. Instead, it seeks to humanize him. George Washington getting a good dance in checked the box that someone did their homework. George Washington loved to dance (see the children’s song I helped produce: George Washington Loved to Dance : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHUJZxBml48 )

Back to the movie and my own self promotion. Visually, the film is stunning.

The landscapes, costumes, and production design create a world that feels authentic without becoming inaccessible. This isn’t Christian movie or even mainstream TV level design work. This is top notch. Speaking of top notch, let’s get to the cast.

While their screen time is limited, the veteran trio of Kelsey Grammer, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Andy Serkis leave an outsized impression. Every time one of them appears, the movie seems to level up.

Grammer, in particular, is delightful. His first major scene almost seems to wink at the audience about the absurdities of the era were for men. You’ve got the towering wigs, elaborate uniforms, and endless pageantry that accompanied being a gentleman of status. He brings warmth, humor, and gravitas to every moment he’s on screen.

Honestly, in a world increasingly divided over almost everything, this film may at least unite audiences on one simple truth: Kelsey Grammer remains one of the finest actors working today.

For CCM readers wondering why they should care about a historical drama centered on George Washington, there are a few familiar connections.

First, there’s Director Jon Erwin. Christian audiences know his work from I Can Only Imagine, American Underdog, Jesus Revolution, and most recently House of David. While Young Washington isn’t overtly faith based in the way some of those projects are, Erwin’s storytelling fingerprints are still present.

Second, eagle eyed viewers will smile when Joel Smallbone of for KING + COUNTRY fame fills the screen in a supporting role as William Fairfax. His appearance may be brief, but it’s a fun addition for Christian music fans. He’s also really showcasing his acting chops. He was great playing a spot-on version of his own father in Unsung Hero, but this is yet another sizable swing.

Which raises the inevitable question:

Is this a Christian movie?

Not exactly.

There are references to God and faith throughout, as would be historically appropriate, but the film isn’t designed as a sermon or an evangelistic presentation. And that’s okay. Not every film needs to be.

Parents may also wonder about the violence. There are battle sequences and moments of wartime brutality. Nothing struck me as excessively graphic or gratuitous, but there were a few scenes that caused my own kids to look away. This is, after all, a story set amid military conflict in the 1700s.

One unexpected benefit of the film was how often it made me want to learn more. I found myself mentally making notes to research certain events and historical figures after the credits rolled. Every detail can’t be perfectly accurate, none of us were there and you still have to tell a two hour story. However, any movie that inspires viewers to open a history book has accomplished something worthwhile.

Fans of British historical dramas such as Downton Abbey may find some familiar appeal here. While the settings and subject matter differ considerably, there is a shared appreciation for period detail, class structures, and the complicated relationships between duty, ambition, and family. Viewers who enjoyed Angel Studios’ Seeking Persephone will likely find similar connective tissue. It is also worth noting that both Wonder Project and Angel Studios deserve credit for being ambitious in their commitment to period pieces, a space that is not always easy to execute well.

Leading man William Franklyn Miller may not match the image of George Washington that has existed in my head for decades, but by the end of the film, that didn’t matter much. His performance is earnest, compelling, and charismatic enough that I immediately found myself looking up what other projects he had appeared in.

Young Washington may not spend much time with the towering figure who would become America’s first President, but it offers an engaging, beautifully crafted look at the experiences that forged him.

Young Washington opens in theaters nationwide July 3.