Few names are more infamous in American History than that of Benedict Arnold. Rarely though is it asked what led Arnold, a man who had been one of the American Revolution's greatest heroes, to turn traitor and betray the cause he'd fought so hard for. A&E's 2003 film Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor explores the critical years and months of Arnold's life leading up to a decision that would make his name infamous for centuries to come.
Playing Arnold is Aidan Quinn who brings a brooding yet melancholic presence to the role. Quinn is believable in the various facets of Arnold's life from loyal soldier to military governor of Philadelphia before taking the journey that leads to the decision that will cost him the admiration of his countrymen. What leads Arnold to make his decision, and how Quinn portrays him as a man driven by a need to prove himself and his honor who faces thwarting at every turn, helps to make the film compelling. It's Quinn's performance, and to an extent the film itself, that makes this film a three dimensional portrait of a man often portrayed in the simplest of terms.
Contrasting with Quinn's Arnold is Kelsey Grammar as George Washington. Washington's journey in the film, his struggles as commander of the Continental Army, are similar to that of Arnold's but how they deal with their trials and the divergent paths they take makes all the difference. Grammar is compelling as Washington and quite believable in a role that gives him the chance to show off his dramatic range. Together, Quinn and Grammar help to make the film as compelling as it is.
The film has a good supporting cast as well. Flora Montgomery, while some years older than her real life counterpart, brings a sense of maturity to Peggy Shippen who will ultimately be the catalyst that will turn Arnold from hero to traitor. Rounding out the cast are John Light as British army Major John Andre, John Kavanagh as Peggy's father Judge Shippen and Tom Murphy as Arnold's aide Major Franks.
The production values of the film are good as well. The costumes are first rate, Grammar's uniform as Washington in particular being a stand out. The sets and locations are good as well, nicely evoking the period setting. At times though, the limitations of budget do show such as during the handful of battle sequences (such as the opening sequence where "the mightiest fortress in the Americas" is represented by a wall and a few soldiers). For a TV movie though, especially one with a period setting, the results are more than adequate.
Where the film is perhaps most mixed is in its script. While Arnold's story is certainly compelling, the script's job of making it so is less so. Part of it is in its dialogue where writer William Mastrosimone tries to use material from letters written at the time alongside where dialogue written for the film. The problem is the two are very different in tone and style and they sit uneasily next to one another, especially when used together in the same scene. Where the script works better is in exploring Arnold's personality and the aspects of it that drive him to make him the infamous man he will be known as. In the end, despite the issues with the dialogue, the script does a fine job of taking the at times complex story of Arnold and making it into a film lasting a mere ninety minutes.
Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor, despite the faults in both its script and some of its production values, is nevertheless a compelling piece of historical drama. In particular, the performances of Aidan Quinn as Arnold and Kelsey Grammar as Washington, make the film as successful as it is. For those interested in American History or seeking a new perspective on a man often portrayed in little more than a single dimension, this film is well worth viewing.
Playing Arnold is Aidan Quinn who brings a brooding yet melancholic presence to the role. Quinn is believable in the various facets of Arnold's life from loyal soldier to military governor of Philadelphia before taking the journey that leads to the decision that will cost him the admiration of his countrymen. What leads Arnold to make his decision, and how Quinn portrays him as a man driven by a need to prove himself and his honor who faces thwarting at every turn, helps to make the film compelling. It's Quinn's performance, and to an extent the film itself, that makes this film a three dimensional portrait of a man often portrayed in the simplest of terms.
Contrasting with Quinn's Arnold is Kelsey Grammar as George Washington. Washington's journey in the film, his struggles as commander of the Continental Army, are similar to that of Arnold's but how they deal with their trials and the divergent paths they take makes all the difference. Grammar is compelling as Washington and quite believable in a role that gives him the chance to show off his dramatic range. Together, Quinn and Grammar help to make the film as compelling as it is.
The film has a good supporting cast as well. Flora Montgomery, while some years older than her real life counterpart, brings a sense of maturity to Peggy Shippen who will ultimately be the catalyst that will turn Arnold from hero to traitor. Rounding out the cast are John Light as British army Major John Andre, John Kavanagh as Peggy's father Judge Shippen and Tom Murphy as Arnold's aide Major Franks.
The production values of the film are good as well. The costumes are first rate, Grammar's uniform as Washington in particular being a stand out. The sets and locations are good as well, nicely evoking the period setting. At times though, the limitations of budget do show such as during the handful of battle sequences (such as the opening sequence where "the mightiest fortress in the Americas" is represented by a wall and a few soldiers). For a TV movie though, especially one with a period setting, the results are more than adequate.
Where the film is perhaps most mixed is in its script. While Arnold's story is certainly compelling, the script's job of making it so is less so. Part of it is in its dialogue where writer William Mastrosimone tries to use material from letters written at the time alongside where dialogue written for the film. The problem is the two are very different in tone and style and they sit uneasily next to one another, especially when used together in the same scene. Where the script works better is in exploring Arnold's personality and the aspects of it that drive him to make him the infamous man he will be known as. In the end, despite the issues with the dialogue, the script does a fine job of taking the at times complex story of Arnold and making it into a film lasting a mere ninety minutes.
Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor, despite the faults in both its script and some of its production values, is nevertheless a compelling piece of historical drama. In particular, the performances of Aidan Quinn as Arnold and Kelsey Grammar as Washington, make the film as successful as it is. For those interested in American History or seeking a new perspective on a man often portrayed in little more than a single dimension, this film is well worth viewing.