A Movie Review for Young Washington

Today, on Friday, July 3, 2026, I went with a good friend to watch the new movie, Young Washington. First of all, I must declare that I am no history expert when it comes to the details of young George's life, but I did already have a vague understanding of the history of the colonial period with tales of Fort Necessity and Fort Duquesne. However, I did not go to the movie to judge or critique it on its historical accuracy. Someone else will have to write a post about that.

What I can write about is the storytelling, and on that note, this movie was one of the most heroic films I have seen in recent memory. It captures not just American ideals, but Christian American ideals upon which much of western civilization was founded. The movie does an excellent job in depicting variety in characters and personalities. It focuses a great deal on elitism and social class versus ability and work ethic, as well as courage and ambition. What it did best, though, was give the audience an ultimate peak into the legend of George Washington, a man who was later revered even by the British generals themselves after we declared our independence.

Now, I also admit that I do not know the ins and outs of the fact versus legend of George Washington's life and escapades. But I do know that some of his legend, as most legends, is based on reality. Most, and I say most of the movie, makes the legend believable and realistic. But here is the best part of the movie... the storytelling itself does not focus on any particular political party or bias, but more on the heroism of strong minds and strong people who faced adversity in this nation's history. Forget revisionist history; forget Americana and red, white, and blue (although red and blue do play a minor role). But the main themes of the movie were grand themes that pervade western civilization, and the actor that portrayed young Washington did a stellar job carrying this out.

Perhaps the greatest quality in a man of history that stands out about Washington is leadership. It reminds me of the difference between leaders who demand that you follow them, and leaders whose actions inspire you to follow them. Admitting mistakes, sacrificing ambition and the progression up some ladder of success, and perseverance despite failure are the things that stood out the most about the young leader. The last thirty minutes of the film were so inspiring, it made me wish I were in the film, attempting to load a musket and "fire independently from the trees," because of how young George showed how he was willing to do what every person 'beneath his status' was doing in the name of the king.

The other quality that stood out was perseverance. But this perseverance didn't come from George all on his own. It came from the encouragement from the closest members of his family, whose advice he often turned to in times of uncertainty. And yet, there were certain things that young Washington was certain he knew best about, only to fail. But instead of giving up or doing the sensible, especially towards the end, he goes against the grain. He goes against the conventional, and he is unwilling to waver in the face of fear and almost certain death. This is where some of the legend comes in. Did it actually happen that way? Although they push the envelope a little bit, it is easy to see how many of the alleged 'bystanders' or witnesses could create stories of legend.

Whether one is patriotic, or they are very mistrusting of today's American political climate - this movie made young George Washington very easy to root for. This movie makes those folks like me, who are disgruntled with the political winds of modern times, want to believe in American heroes again. And the best storytelling comes like an origin story of the heroes from the comics - only this is so much more realistic.

Perhaps my favorite thing about this movie was the fact that it really makes one think about history, and God's timing. It shows the audience that God could have placed any other person on the precipice of history, entering the army at just the right time, to be in just the right places and make just the right connections to put the American colonies in the eventual position they were. And it shows that young Washington was just the right person.

My friend Chan, who invited me to come along in the first place, rated this movie a solid 9.8 out of 10. I think I can give it a strong 9.9. Granted, if I see a movie I don't like, it usually isn't worth taking the time to write a review anyway. This one? I had to sit down and at least start to write my review as soon as I got home. I had to finish it later, of course, because I was off to the movies again with my son, shortly after I started writing this.

But go see it.

Learn something.

Learn what American legends are made of... learn what it must have been like to live and breathe in awe of legends, in the days of young George Washington.