Reviews & Ratings for
Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:

Stilted

Author: yastepanov from United States
17 July 2009

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...

3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:

More bad school play than epic drama

Author: TrevorAclea from London, England
30 June 2008

Underfunded, overwritten and often extremely badly acted, Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor has a great story but it constantly shows its roots on the A&E Channel by putting long and florid quotes from the real characters' historical correspondence into the mouths of actors ill-equipped to deliver them aloud. Kelsey Grammar fares best as George Washington but Aidan Quinn is often hopelessly at sea as Benedict Arnold, a bit of a problem when he's the main character. It's an interesting attempt to look at the way the jealousy, snobbery and parsimony of those on his own side led the revolution's most brilliant and successful soldier to become its most notorious traitor, but cinematographer-turned-director Mikael Solomon fails to bring enough life and vitality to the rushed narrative to disguise the bad writing, low budget and poor casting while the accuracy doesn't extend to the production design: Valley Forge looks like a gentleman's summer retreat, Quebec is reduced to a field with a log fence and the American War of Independence something that took place in a few fields and streets in Ireland. Dull stuff.

3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:

A question of history.

Author: cmyklefty from Philadelphia
20 January 2003

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.

7 out of 11 people found the following review useful:

Very well made TV movie

Author: karvan_g from United States
5 May 2004

First when i checked out this DVD, i thought that this was a documentary. I do like documentaries which are well made. But i was extremely delighted to find that this was a movie. It is actually one of the best "made for TV" movies i have seen in recent times. The acting is so real. And the dialogues so eloquent. Each word is as if it were chosen to convey exactly the feeling of the characters at each point in the movie. It was also delightful to learn a bit more about someone whom i have just heard as being the "worst traitor in the history" of the USA. All in all, the acting of Kelsey Grammer and Aidan Quinn, itself is a treat to watch. I would highly recommended movie to anybody interested in a history lesson on the formation of the USA. ****.

3 out of 4 people found the following review useful:

a fine historical drama

Author: dtucker86 from Germany
9 September 2003

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.

4 out of 6 people found the following review useful:

A Well Made Historical Drama

Author: georgesh3 from Danville, Virginia, USA
14 January 2003

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.

5 out of 8 people found the following review useful:

A mediocre history lesson

Author: George Parker from Orange County, CA USA
24 February 2003

"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+)

6 out of 10 people found the following review useful:

Desperate times call for desperate deeds.

Author: Michael O'Keefe from Muskogee OK
31 January 2003

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.

1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:

Good movie with some flaws

Author: jtomkovi from United States
5 November 2006

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.

1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:

An engaging attempt to change history's perception of Arnold

Author: bertieclem from Santa Monica, CA
28 October 2002

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.

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