George Washington

I was so fortunate to be in this historical drama on the life of George Washington with Barry Bostwick. The first time with Barry Bostwick was in the makeup trailer getting our faces and hair ready for the time period and then I played in the auction scene at Carter's Grove. Sally Fairfax was moving to England and George was buying a trinket (it might have been her pillow) of Sally's and I was behind him the whole time. I had so much fun in the making of this movie and being on set with John Mills, Jackie Smith and of course Barry Bostwick. A very special memory.

Watching this series, I really feel like I was experiencing retrocognition and seeing back in time to all the memorable moments in George Washington's life. This series was done so well, captures your attention and holds it all the way, detailing Washington's life as well as important battles and events in two wars, and all the steps on the way to American independence, never going over the top or getting melodramatic, giving you a feeling that this was the way it all really happened.

Ever since I watched this, whenever I read or think about George Washington, Barry Bostwick comes to mind, just like Patty Duke has become Martha. If ever two people deserved Emmy awards, it was certainly them!

This series is full of famous faces and ones you'll recognize from TV: Jose Ferrar, James Mason, Hal Holbrook, Lloyd Bridges, Trevor Howard, Richard Kiley, Jaclyn smith, David Dukes, everyone was great!

A series not to be missed!

I was in this movie as an extra and it was a blast to be a part of it. I was stationed at the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station in 1983 as Marine Security and my entire platoon responded to an ad placed by MGM in the local paper. The CO of the barracks decided he wanted some of his Marines present to promote good public relations and we were the chosen!

I played a British Officer the first day of filming (only because the wardrobe dept. accidentally gave me an officer uniform) and an American mounted officer the second day.

I was Gen. Lafayette's (Phil Casnoff) flank officer and in one scene rode almost directly behind him and Barry Bostwick.

We were paid $75.00 for the two days of filming and I had a terrific time being a part of it!

To take that imposing figure come down to us from Gilbert Stuart's famous portrait and turn George Washington into a flesh and blood human being was quite the achievement. I watched this and the succeeding mini-series about Washington and came away thinking I actually knew the man.

I think the credit goes to two people. First the source of this mini- series is James Thomas Flexner's authoritative biography on Washington. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know about our first president and what went into the shaping of his character. The book is eminently readable and Flexner writes so that even a non-historian can appreciate Washington.

The second is Barry Bostwick's performance as Washington. It's not easy to make someone who's attained near mythological status into a flesh and blood human being, but Bostwick succeeds brilliantly. His life and loves are told from early manhood through to the end of the American Revolution. Martha Washington is ably played by Patty Duke.

During our revolution at any number of given points the colonial army could have been snuffed out if British commanders had made different and better choices. Washington endured a few victories, some defeats, but he kept his army intact and in being until the advantage that made that final victory at Yorktown in 1781 presented themselves. He also had to endure a lot of criticism of his leadership from some elements of the Continental Congress.

In fact one should see this together with 1776 and get an idea about the American Revolution from both the military and civilian leadership perspectives.

In the supporting cast I enjoyed James Mason in one of his final roles as British General Braddock who Washington served under during the French and Indian War. It's there where Washington got his baptism of fire in the woods of western Pennsylvania. This is the 18th century equivalent of what the Indians did to General Custer. Washington was lucky to escape that day and Mason does in good job in portraying a very brave, but incredibly stupid general.

I would also single out Jaclyn Smith as Washington's first love, Lady Fairfax and Jose Ferrer as Virginia colonial Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie who gave Washington his first military command in the French and Indian War.

George Washington is good drama and good history. Anything you want to know about the first American president can be learned here.

10* Extremely well-done production with a very talented cast and excellent authenticity, yet entertaining and watchable. Based on the J. T. Flexner's book, "George Washington, The Indispensable Man" which is a great read. Highly recommend both!

The min-series has a very well done integration of adventure, drama, humor, and tragedy. The flow is similar to a roller coaster, with highs and lows for GW. There is sadness, frustration, anger, and exhaustion for GW. Yet, the director and actor manages to maintain a sense of determination and hope in despite some potentially soul-crushing challenges.