Young Washington is a historical drama following a young George Washington as he transitions from an ambitious self-taught colonial upstart into a resilient military leader at the onset of the French and Indian War. The film opens with the death of George’s father, this loss forces him to leave formal schooling to help his mother, Mary run the family farm. His older brother, Lawrence steps in as a mentor teaching him the classics, the “rules of civility” and the social aspirations of a gentleman.
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As a young adult, an ambitious Washington sneaks into an elite party to flirt with Sally Cary and charm Lord Fairfax. He pitches a plan to survey Fairfax’s western lands in the Ohio territory and monitor encroaching French forces.
Washington secured a meeting with Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, Robert Dinwiddie, Dinwiddie hired him for a dangerous reconnaissance and negotiation mission into the contested Ohio Country. Along the journey, Washington teams up with scout Christopher Gist and Mingo Leader “Half-King” Tanacharison. They confront French Office Joseph Jumonville,, an encounter that triggers violent skirmishes and officially sparks the French and Indian War.
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Promoted to major in the Virginia Regiment, Washington faces a devastating military disaster at the Battle of Fort Necessity under British command, stripped of his romanticized notions of glory, he learns profound humility. The move concludes as Washington survives the early chaos of the conflict, overcoming the biases of the British military class system against colonials. He evolves into a battle-tested leader, setting the stage for future historical struggles.
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Directed by: Jon Erwin
Cast: Mary-Louise Parker, John Foss, Mia Rodgers, Kelsey Grammer, Ben Kingsley
Running time: 120 minutes
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