Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor

The circumstances in history will make you think different about Benedict Arnold by watching the TV movie. His honor was questioned even by his friend George Washington. You will see the reason to the events leading to his actions effecting the course of history in America.

This was a cleanly filmed background story of Benedict Arnold, trapped by conflicting circumstances, and judged harshly by history. The photography was simple, colorful and crisp, although some of the direction gave the characters an overly terse feel. The made for TV movie aspect contributed to its choppiness. Simply told, it helps us to ponder the complexities in early American history.

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.

The movie slowly builds to a certain momentum and although production values suffer from time to time, the movie engages as it attempts to set the record straight about Benedict Arnold. History has registered Arnold as a traitor, but here he's clearly a Patriot who's actions to turn Red Coat reflect what he perceived as a slight by the Continental Congress to not only protect him from a rogue member ruling Philadelphia with an iron hand, but to remunerate him for his war expenses. Quinn's performance transcends the Washington of Fraser Crane (oops, Kelsey Grammar) and brings dignity to a movie that has benefited from the brilliant writing of the award winning Mastrosimone. Direction is straightforward and not inspired. Tech credits are good.

This is an outstanding A & E production with kudos for director Mikael Salomon. A very well written drama chronicling the fall of the infamous Benedict Arnold(Aidan Quinn)from distinguished Revolutionary War general and respected advisor to General George Washington(Kelsey Grammer)to reluctant traitor. Action packed insight to incidents of the American Revolution. Quinn and Grammer are to be commended. History buffs may want to pick this one apart, but it is well worth watching.