Customer Reviews

Benedict Arnold - A Question of Honor [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

A@E normally produces pretty good stuff. For some reason they never really got it together on this one. The subject matter is certainly good, but the chronology of the story seems confused. For one, this should have been a longer story. At least another hour could have included and clarified many aspects of Arnold's complex career in the Revolution. As it stands here many important events are left out, including the battle of Freeman's Farm, as well as his clever deception of the Indians which fouled Berry St. Leger's drive down from Oswego. These were important aspects of Arnold's career, which should have been included. The excessive romance scenes with Peggy could have been cut down to make room. Jeff Daniels would have been better to have as Washington. He was so good in "The Crossing" which was a much better film. The relationship with Major Andre is grossly over-stated. Aidrian Quinn does an adequate job playing Arnold, but his work is not made easiler by an overall weak support cast, and poor editing. What is good about the DVD version is that you get the true story of Arnold's life from the A&E Biography thats included. An overall attractive production with unfortunate short-comings.

Underfunded, overwritten and often extremely badly acted, Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor aka Field of Honour, has a great story but it constantly shows its roots on the A&E Channel by putting long and florid quotes from the real characters' historical correspondence into the mouths of actors ill-equipped to deliver them aloud. Kelsey Grammar fares best as George Washington but Aidan Quinn is often hopelessly at sea as Benedict Arnold, a bit of a problem when he's the main character. It's an interesting attempt to look at the way the jealousy, snobbery and parsimony of those on his own side led the revolution's most brilliant and successful soldier to become its most notorious traitor, but cinematographer-turned-director Mikael Solomon fails to bring enough life and vitality to the rushed narrative to disguise the bad writing, low budget and poor casting while the accuracy doesn't extend to the production design: Valley Forge looks like a gentleman's summer retreat, Quebec is reduced to a field with a log fence and the American War of Independence something that took place in a few fields and streets in Ireland. Dull stuff.

I have to say that my rating was graded on a curve. I'd say this movie is some where between a high 3 and a low 4. Basically the equivalent of a C+ or B-. My disappointments with the movie was that I felt that it could have been 30 minutes longer and better edited. The story line seemed to jump around a tad. As for Grammer & Quinn? I thought that they both did a great job portraying Washington & Arnold.

I would recommend this DVD for those curious about Arnold. This movie sparked my interest in Arnold when it was first televised and convinced me that Benedict Arnold's treason was more tragic then anything. The DVD also has the A&E Biography of Arnold and is well worth the money.

He has gone down in history as a traitor, which is true. Had he succeeded in his plan to allow the British to capture the fort of West Point and General Washington, there would have been no United States in the eighteenth century. However, the true story is much more complex than that of a man selling out his country. He was the best field general in the U. S. army, his victory at Saratoga, where he personally led the charge to victory, established the Continental army as a viable military force. Seriously wounded in the leg, he was forced to spend a great deal of time convalescing.
During this time, an ungrateful Congress forced him to resign and promoted a politically connected incompetent ahead of him. His old friend George Washington manages to convince him to return to service and he is named military governor of Philadelphia after the British depart. He forcefully intervenes to stop mobs from hanging loyalists and looting their property. He also attempts to mend the fences between all factions, inviting all groups to a party. Unfortunately for him, he falls in love with the daughter of a loyalist and eventually marries her. This creates a scandal, he is removed from his position as military governor and is named commander of the fort at West Point. The Congress does not give him his back pay and then sends him a bill for goods. The Philadelphia mob attacks his house and he is humiliated. He is then transferred to the command of the fort at West Point. Urged by his wife, he plots to betray the colonial army and when the plot is discovered, he barely escapes before being captured.
The best part of this video is that it destroys the historical myth that all of the colonists fighting against the British in the war of independence were idealists who put country before personal gain. The Continental Congress was split by major political factionalism and most people placed loyalty to their state over that to the new nation. People used their positions of influence to profit, gain revenge and destroy those considered rivals for power. At times not even George Washington could stand against them. While Benedict Arnold did betray his country, he suffered so much before he did so that it is difficult to fault him. Aidan Quinn and Kelsey Grammer give superb performances as Benedict Arnold and George Washington. This is another one of those historical videos that should be required viewing in all history classes covering the American war of independence.

Unlike The Patriot which was purely made for propaganda purposes, Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor, follows a much more pragmatic, realistic, and in effect a more truthful account of events during the American War of Independence (1775-1783). The film brings to the screen two main stories, which are unfolding simultaneously: On the one hand, Continental General Benedict Arnold trying to survive the turmoil of a country at war with itself, and on the other, the War of Independence and its ripple effects on America in the background. The movie portrays superbly the hardships endured on the battlefield, and the war's effects on society; the corrupt politics, the different attitudes and mentality of English North American colonists during the war i.e. the Loyalists, the Continentals and the Neutrals.
It provides therefore, valuable insight into a very important period of American (and British) History. Specifically:
We get a taste (though a very light one) of what happened to those caught by the other side...
Moreover, we get to see or hear about, the double-crossing merchants, farmers, and politicians that supported whichever side the wind happened to be blowing in, always in search of profit and personal gain.
The clash between the Loyalist American English and the Continental American English, just like the one between the Continental American English and the British English is fascinating and very well presented throughout the film, but then so is the clash within the Continental side (the undermining, the personality clashes, favoritism, public relations, political connections), between Congress and the Army, as well as the farmers and most importantly the merchants profiteering at the expense of whoever/whichever side etc.
There is also the brave admission (by G. Washington) that the Continentals lack public support, and the important role that Washington played throughout the Revolution in keeping the Continentals "alive," long enough for the French (1778), Spaniards (1779), and Dutch (1780) to enter the war against Great Britain.
In addition, Washington talks about the Indians with contempt and in a patronizing way, underlining the traditional hatred between the lower class North American colonists and the natives (not a surprise considering the content of the Declaration of Independence: "the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions").
Moreover, Washington sends Arnold to Philadelphia to protect the Loyalist population from Joseph Reed, the bloodthirsty member of the Continental Congress from Pennsylvania, who wants to exact revenge on all those that do not support the rebellion. "One Loyalist shall hang every day for the next 500 days!" (Execute the owner and then conveniently confiscate their property.)
The film is also excellent in showing that Arnold among others (as Washington also admits) is no "saint," and clearly portrays his corruption through his encounter/business dealings with the merchant to whom he gave a commercial permit in exchange for 50% of his profits/goods.
Therefore, the movie successfully sheds light on aspects of American History that some would rather keep hidden "under the carpet."
As a result, Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor, is a daring movie, which shatters more than a few misconceptions, deliberate and not, surrounding attitudes towards the War of Independence, and provides for historical truths, which had been suppressed for long years in the name of "patriotism."
The only setback is in relation to Major David Franks; could his religion be more obvious??? What was the point of that? Why is it that one gets the feeling that this was more the result of "modern" influence...
In short, Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor is a movie definitely worth watching, and one to seriously consider adding to your movie collection, especially for those interested in History.
Strongly recommended along with Revolution starring Al Pacino.

'Benedict Arnold - A Question of Honor' is a honest attempt at the very fascinating story of Benedict Arnold but it comes up short. Benedict Arnold's story should be brought to life because it has to be one of the most interesting and tragic stories to come out of the American Revolution. But the A & E version of his story feels too rushed, just not enough detail, and has a lower budget. The battle scenes that depict Arnold's heroic actions for the Americans in the Revolution are rather short and do not have a cast of thousands. There is no real sense of the vastness of the American Revolution. Also valuable time is spent on romantic scenes of Arnold and his wife that would be better used in depicting the machinations of his treason.

The acting is good, but is short of great. Aidan Quinn makes a suitably moody Arnold but does not really bring out what made Arnold such an admired American commander before he became a turncoat. Kelsey Grammer is decent as Washington but falls short of the excellent cinematic performances of Washington done by Barry Bostwick, Jeff Daniels, and David Morse. The key figure besides Arnold in the treason John Andre is portrayed in a less than convincing fashion. I did not really like the actor's performance as Andre and he did not bring the figure alive. Many American officers believed that Andre should not hang and were taken by his unique character but none of this comes through in the film.

I also believe that the film should have been longer and made on a bigger budget because this is such a interesting tale with so many interesting historical characters involved.

The DVD contains a rather good hour-long A & E biography on Arnold that contains nice contributions by many excellent American Revolution historians.

I think viewers would be better served by reading the books 'Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor' by Willard Sterne Randall and 'The Traitor and the Spy: Benedict Arnold and John Andre' by James Thomas Flexner than watching the film. Hopefully one day this story can be done correctly on a larger scale and really show all of the complications of this most fascinating time in American history.

Aidan Quinn was horrible. Kelsey Grammer made the movie. If he wasn't in it, I might not have made it to the end. On the upside, the bonus A&E Biography on Arnold was good. Watch it before you watch the movie.

I show this every year to my 8th grade while teaching them about Benedict Arnold...and the fight for America's independence. They get so bored with the regular school movies, that I search for some more exciting. This is not PERFECTLY accurate...but close enough to give them the general idea. They really enjoy it every year. I explain some of the differences, and they totally understand hollywood anyway, so it's no big deal. NOW, there is some language and a couple of "romance" scenes that would be considered a bit inappropriate for school...so I send a letter out every year to the parents to give permission. I tell them everything. Every year every child gets permission. Let's face it, they are allowed to see worse anyway...but not in the classroom. I tend to "fast forward" as much as possible past the "romance" scene, even after getting permission. It's about a one minute shot...so no big deal. They learn A LOT from this movie!!!!!

this was excellent (frazier played George Washington). Not too long, very enjoyable movie

My dvd came with an A&E Biography of Benedict Arnold which is all an amateur history buff could want.
[I could not bring myself to watch the featured movie, however.]
-- Louis J Sheehan