When we hear mention of George Washington’s name, it usually has something to do with the Revolutionary War or his role as the first president of the United States. There was a time, however, when George Washington failed as a military leader. What he did with that experience offers an important lesson as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday: not to give up when we fail, but to learn from our mistakes and allow them to shape a wiser future.
Young Washington, releasing to theaters on July 3rd from Angel Studios and The Wonder Project, focuses not on the Revolution but the war that preceded it: the French and Indian War of 1754-1763. Part of the global Seven Year’s War, the French and Indian War refers to the North American portion of the conflict.
As a child, George Washington (Will Joseph) was denied schooling due to his low social status. Educated and trained by his elder half-brother, Lawerence (John Foss), after his father’s death at age eleven, George soaked up everything Lawrence had to teach him. As a young adult, George (William Franklyn-Miller) relentlessly peppered the local British commander with letters requesting the opportunity to become an officer in the Royal army. Denied due to his social status, he petitioned the governor of Virginia, Robert Dinwiddie (Ben Kingsley) for a rank in the Virginia militia. Failing that, he agreed to survey and map the land Dinwiddie owned in the Ohio territory with his friend Christopher Gist (Leo Hanna). Little did he know that his foray into the wilderness would set off events that would change his life forever.
When Washington and Gist meet the Native Americans during their survey, their leader Half-King Tanacharison (Ryan Begay), a Seneca, clued them into the presence of French troops in the area, who were seeking to lay claim to the territory. When Washington returned to Virginia he was given the rank of Major in the Virginia militia and sent back, with messages from the governor, to be presented to the French, asking them to leave. When the presentation of the message goes bad, Washington’s inexperience rears its head. Although under orders not to open fire, someone did and Washington could not contain the chaos that followed. This incident stands as the one which ignited the French and Indian War.
Young Washington follows George as his failure forces him to take a volunteer position as an aide-de-camp to a proper military leader, General Braddock (Andy Serkis). It is with Braddock and his lieutenant, Thomas Gage (Michael Benz) – who later served as commander-in-chief of the British army against Washington during the Revolution – that Washington learns the characteristics necessary in a successful military leader.
Franklyn-Miller embodies well the ambition the first president showed as a young man. The rollercoaster of emotions Washington experiences as he moves from rejection, to failure, to learning self-sacrifice, to gaining the respect of his men, all comes through in Franklyn-Miller’s gritty performance. Andy Serkis as General Braddock balances a determined military leader with insight to recognize the potential for greatness in his young aide-de-camp.
Young Washington brings Washington’s involvement in the French and Indian War to life. Considered by some historians to be more pivotal than the Revolution itself, the French and Indian War pushed America to begin considering independence. Indeed, it was the event that shaped the man who would later lead the battle for independence and shape the future of the fledgling United States of America.
If Washington had not learned from the many failures he endured, the mistakes he made, perhaps the outcome of history would have been different. Young Washington provides a rousing example of one who learned from his experiences, rose from the ashes, and changed the world.