Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor (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 Philadelphia 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 | quebec | desertion | american revolution | west point | 

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Taglines:

The greatest general of the Revolution, he became its most dangerous enemy.

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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

This was filmed in Dublin to avail of local tax breaks.

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Goofs

At the beginning of the movie, Arnold is shown to be on foot when he is wounded at the battle of Bemis Heights. He was, in fact on horseback. His leg was broken by a combination of the shot and the weight of his falling horse.

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Quotes

George Washington: Not one soldier has died so that I may be named 'Dictator'!

User Reviews

a fine historical drama

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.