The Crossing 2001

Stéphane Bouquet appears as himself in a detailed, documentary-style retelling of a pivotal moment in the American Revolution, laying out the battered state of the Continental Army and the precarious path ahead.

In the wake of a brutal six-month stretch, the Continental Army has been pushed back through New Jersey after suffering repeated defeats in 1776. The narrative recalls the loss of New York City, the relentless pursuit across the state, and the staggering toll: a vast majority of troops are killed, captured, or desert, leaving the army reeling and undersupplied. The story follows their desperate escape across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania, where they manage to cling to a fragile lifeline—the handful of boats usable on that stretch of water. The moment is tense and precarious, for the river’s fate is tied to the wider campaign’s future; when the river finally freezes, the British could press the assault and strike Philadelphia itself.

Washington faces a grim inventory of necessities: food, medicine, ammunition, and winter clothing are dangerously low. With the Revolution seemingly on the brink of collapse, he must find a way to strike a decisive blow that could turn the tide. The plan that begins to form is audacious: a bold crossing back across the Delaware to launch a surprise attack on the Hessian garrison stationed at Trenton. The idea is not just daring—it hinges on keeping the operation concealed from a wary enemy and huge risks taken with the limited time and resources at hand.

Washington seeks counsel from experienced officers, including Colonel John Glover, a mariner from Marblehead, Massachusetts whose troops have previously demonstrated their capability to evacuate the Continental forces by boat. Glover is frank: moving Washington’s entire force across the river in one night, in freezing weather, seems almost impossible. Yet he also acknowledges the necessity of the mission and pledges that his men will undertake it, whatever the cost. The plan moves forward under intense scrutiny from the staff, as General Horatio Gates tears into the proposal, suggesting Washington relinquish command. Washington, firm and measured, orders Gates to be silent and has Alexander Hamilton escort him out of camp at gunpoint. The moment is stark, and the comrades exchange a bitter laugh, quickly replaced by a renewed sense of seriousness as Washington and Glover reiterate the enormous risks and the fragile hope resting on their plan.

The timetable is tight: Christmas night is spent in relative secrecy so that the Hessians remain unaware of what is coming. The soldiers are told to speak only when necessary, preserving the element of surprise. The narrative emphasizes how morale is low and fatigue heavy, yet Washington manages to lift the spirits of his troops while Glover oversees the perilous river crossing. The crossing takes place on the Pennsylvania side to the New Jersey shore, beginning on the night of December 25–26, 1776. It is completed by the morning, though not without delay; the sun’s ascent increases the risk of discovery, and every moment counts.

By dawn, Washington’s men have moved inland and march toward Trenton, their resolve hardening as they proceed to strike while the Hessians are still recovering from a Christmas revel. The assault begins at eight o’clock and unfolds with startling speed. The Continental Army achieves a stunning victory, seizing almost the entire Hessian garrison and altering the course of the campaign in a single, decisive action.

The film’s retelling underscores how this bold crossing and the subsequent victory at Trenton breathe new life into the Revolution. It highlights the dangers endured, the difficult decisions leaders must make under pressure, and the remarkable coordination required to pull off a night operation of such scope. The narrative remains focused on the human elements—the leadership, the courage, and the survival instincts of the men who faced freezing weather, scarce supplies, and the ever-present threat of capture—while presenting the strategic payoff that helped secure a fragile yet crucial turning point in American history.