Young Washington (PG-13)
24/08/26 20:31 Filed in: 2026
Starring: William Franklyn-Miller
July 2026
Warning! This is NOT a movie review. This is a critique of the film. Intended to initiate a dialogue, the following analysis explores various aspects of the film and may contain spoilers. For concerns over objectionable content, please first refer to one of the many parental movie guide websites. Ratings are based on a four star system. Happy reading!
The latest in a string of historical movies released for America’s 250th anniversary, Young Washington is exactly what you’d expect, and yet still manages to offer more.
The movie opens with the titular hero rousing from an illness as his camp is ambushed. He stumbles into the fray, yelling orders and killing enemy combatants with the requisite skill of an action hero. All of this is to be expected. But what about his coat? Red? What?
Is this an alternate history of George Washington? Nope. This is the real history we’ve forgotten or were never taught in school.
If you’re like me, and only know bits and pieces of George Washington’s (William Franklyn-Miller) Revolutionary War exploits and presidency, this new film from Angel Studios is a timely retrospective of the first U.S. president’s early years. It’s also a salient history lesson, reminding us of how dangerously close we came to never having a free country.
Young Washington is the story of an ambitious young man who wants to serve a cause bigger than himself, and to fight against tyranny. It’s also the story of an idealistic young man who, at one point, discovers he’s fighting for the wrong side. What happens then? I don’t know…we’ll have to wait for the sequel.
The movie is filled with historical dates, names and places. Even after walking out of the theater, I still wouldn’t pass a quiz on the events depicted in the movie. All I know is there were many vying armies intent on making the New World their own: the British and the French, for starters. Then there were the indigenous tribes who fought the French, fought with the French and fought each other. Then there were colonists who resisted the British invaders, and those who sympathized with them. Lots to keep track of.
The performances help ground the story’s involving historical events. For a fairly low budget, independently-produced film, Angel Studios has assembled an impressive cast of veteran actors here. Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) plays George’s mother, Mary Washington. Kelsey Grammer (The Jesus Revolution) plays Lord Fairfax, a wealthy nobleman who takes a shine to young Washinton. Ben Kingsley (Schindler’s List) is absolutely superb as British colonial administrator, Robert Dinwiddie, Washington’s commanding officer. Rounding out the movie’s notable actors is Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) who plays swaggering, pig-headed General Braddock.
Though all these actors offer solid support, it’s Franklyn-Miller who makes the movie work. He perfectly portrays Washington’s youthful exuberance, zealous idealism and strong moral convictions. Having done mostly TV work in the past, this is Franklyn-Miller’s first major role. The trajectory of his career will certainly bear close inspection.
Director Jon Erwin (I Can Only Imagine) proves himself equally adept at filming character moments and action sequences. The latter are brought to life with intricate choreography, kinetic cutting and numerous POV shots of Washington charging into battle. Though undeniably violent, the action scenes aren’t overly graphic or bloody. However, atypical for the uber-conservative features released by Angel Studios in the past, there are a handful of swear words in the film, so viewer beware.
Young Washington certainly isn’t the best historical movie ever made, but it provides a lens into the early years of our nation’s first president and the Pre-Revolutionary War period.
Will there be a sequel to this film? Perhaps entitled General Washington? To be followed by President Washington? There’s plenty of material to make several sequels to this film…that’s how extraordinary our first president was.
For what it’s worth, there’s my analysis of the movie (history teachers everywhere are shaking their heads in dismay).
So, is this film worth watching? Absolutely!
I cannot tell a lie.
Rating: 2½ out of 4