Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor

I learned a lot about one of history's most notorious people and enjoyed the experience. Aidan Quinn as Benedict and Kelsey Grammer as George Washington were great in their roles and the production values (photography, sets, script, direction and so forth) were very good. Many TV movies are more enjoyable to watch than current theatrical movies and this was certainly one of them. Applause should go to A&E for this work.

Though I myself am I woman, if I were Arnold I would have bitch smacked Peggy for shoving the idea of being a traitor into mind. This A & E special about the question of Honor of Benedict Arnold still makes us ponder that very thought. The acting was so-so, but the dialogue was great. 7 out of 10.

The name Benedict Arnold is synonomous with "traitor" today. Being this the case, it is hard to believe that during the early part of the Revelution, General Arnold was looked upon as a true patriot and hero. General Washington compares him to Hannibal in the beginning. We see him leading his troops heroically on the battlefield and saying "God Bless America". Arnold was actually horribly wounded in the leg by a huge musket ball and the opening of this film shows the horrifying conditions of Revelutionary War hospitals where amputation without anesthetic was the only solution. Aiden Quinn is probably best known for his role in An Early Frost, the first tv movie ever to talk about AIDS. He does a fine job here portraying Arnold. Was he a hero who just went the wrong way? What made this seemingly honorable man turn into the most infamous traitor in history? Was it greed, ego or his wife's ambition that did it. I don't know if the real Arnold ever really regretted his treason, but this film suggests that he did. As a soldier in the Army, it appalled me in the end when they showed Arnold dressed in a British uniform! Kelsey Grammar does his level best as George Washington. However, he will always be that guy on Cheers to me. He does a fine hammy job though. I think my favorite part was in the end when he found out about Arnold's treason, he says "From the tallest tree....LETS HANG THE SON OF A BITCH!!!!" I figure that is exactly how the real General Washington acted.

"Benedict Arnold" is a typical made-for-tv historical melodrama about a small portion of the life of the American Revolutionary War General whose name has become synonymous with "traitor". This A&E production takes a squinty look at the man's life, showing only the most historically significant portions which flank his defection to the British loyalists. The film shows spit and polish costuming where no such luxury was available while portraying Arnold as a man of poetic eloquence when he was more well known to be profane if not drunk or both. Etc. Etc. Melodramatic for entertainment value while taking liberties with history and providing only a piecemeal bio of the man, this film is marginal at best. Better entertainment is easy to find and there's plenty of solid historical info on B.A. right here on the Internet. (C+)

I really like this movie being from saratoga. However, it does have some flaws that are disappointing but are expected with a low budget film.

Like it says, the battle for quebec was fought at night during the winter. Arnolds force fought in the city while montgomery fought outside and got stalled at the gate. Also in the saratoga battle, arnold was riding a horse, not on foot. In addition, I believe major generals at the time had two purple strips on each arm on their uniform in addition to the pink sash seen the movie.

I thought the battle scenes could have been a lot better. First off, the battle of quebec could have been at least placed during the correct season and shown inside the city where it occurred. I would have also liked a few scenes of arnolds forces traveling to quebec. The battle of valcour island also was not great because they didn't show anything about the battle except arnold escaping in a row boat. I would have liked them having at least one large ship that took place in the battle instead of this small row boat. I would have also liked them to at least have a scene showing fort ticonderoga. I also think having him on the horse would have made for a much better scene.

However, I understand that it was a low budget film so these types of flaws are expected. I think the story of benedict arnold is perfect for future movies. Think of it, you have the battle of quebec, valcour island, saratoga, friendship with washington and his treason at west point. You cant have any better true stories then this, with a high budget, this could become an incredible film.