Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor (TV 2003)

On the glorious battlefields of the American Revolution, two great generals distinguished themselves; George Washington and Benedict Arnold. Washington is remembered as America's founding ... See full summary »

Director:

Mikael Salomon

Writer:

William Mastrosimone

Stars:

Aidan Quinn, Kelsey Grammer, Flora Montgomery

Cast

Credited cast:
Aidan Quinn	...	Gen. Benedict Arnold
Kelsey Grammer	...	George Washington
Flora Montgomery	...	Peggy Shippen
John Light	...	John Andre
John Kavanagh	...	Judge Shippen
Tom Murphy	...	Major Franks
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jane Brennan	...	Hannah Arnold
Anthony Brophy	...	Lord Lauderdale
Frank Coughlan	...	Mr. Sewell
Ingrid Craigie	...	Margaret Shippen
Donncha Crowley	...	Von Steuben
Mark Davis	...	Solder
Ned Dennehy	...	Paulding
Nick Dunning	...	Sir Henry Clinton
James Flynn	...	French Surgeon

Storyline

On the glorious battlefields of the American Revolution, two great generals distinguished themselves; George Washington and Benedict Arnold. Washington is remembered as America's founding father, Arnold as America's most notorious traitor. Benedict Arnold rose from humble origins to become the most respected and feared of America's generals. He won brilliant military victories against the English colonists and was Washington's favorite soldier. But two conflicting forces battled inside Arnold's heart; a deep concern for his country and his passionate love for an enchanting and manipulative English woman, Peggy Shippen. Blinded by desire, Arnold defected to the English army, orchestrating an attempt to assassinate his own mentor, George Washington.

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Plot Keywords:

traitor | american revolution | treason | congressman | independence | 

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Taglines:

He was a great American patriot - until love turned him into a traitor.

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 January 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dark Eagle: Benedict Arnold

Filming Locations:

Ballyknockan, Valleymount, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

A&E Television Networks, Dark Eagle Productions, De Angelis Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kelsey Grammer voiced the part of Benedict Arnold in the A&E documentary mini-series, "The American Revolution", reading off-screen extracts from Arnold's letters and papers as Arnold was portrayed on-screen by another actor.

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Goofs

In the opening segment, Arnold leads the assault on Quebec. In reality, the battle took place at night during a snowstorm. The battle also occurred within the city, not the outskirts.

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Quotes

George Washington: From the highest branch of the tallest tree, we'll hang that son of a bitch.

User Reviews

Stilted

The costuming was fairly good (except officers would not wear a baldric under their epaulet) but while the actors were all solid by previous performances, the writing of the script for this was so incredibly stilted one would think the screenplay was trying for a Shakespearean mode.

I highly doubt anyone spoke in the manner portrayed in this film. Certainly they WROTE letters in this fashion, but even today, written word is far more formal than spoken word.

What's more, Arnold doesn't gradually fall -- it's too sudden.

There is some accuracy here, but it is out of place and so on.

If only there was a HISTORIAN included...