‘Young Washington’ - a film for our time

Category: Movies

To celebrate and honor the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States of America, Wonder Project and Angel Studios have produced an enticing film about the “Father of a Nation.” George Washington is known for his heroics during the War of Independence and for being the first President of the United States of America. Before these events he was a young boy and then a young man. His life prior to 1776 is laid out in this film, Young Washington.

William Franklyn-Miller is George Washington. As a boy then a young man, he was heavily influenced by his half brother Lawrence Washington who, after the death of their father, took his young brother under his wing. Lawrence was a decorated soldier in His Majesty’s Army. Young George wanted to eventually follow in his footsteps.

George became an accomplished surveyor and as such volunteered his services to Lord Fairfax (Kelsey Grammer) to survey his Ohio Valley. This land had never been closely looked at. It was filled with Indians (aka Native Americans), and rough territory, which made the job dangerous. 

After he accomplished his job for Fairfax, George then volunteered his services to the crown. The French were declaring the territory for their own, and the British would not have it. George knew the land, having surveyed it for Fairfax.

He was sent to, in a sense, tell the French to leave. His “army” consisted of Virginia men who were unsure what they were doing confronting the French. They were not qualified soldiers, but nevertheless they went.

Lo and behold, a war broke out. The French and Indian War pitted Great Britain against France, each with their own group of Indian allies. This war tested Washington who, after a time, felt he was not a leader. He resigned his commission, but things were not that easy.

George had strong ideas and loyalties – to his men, Virginia, and His Majesty. Returning to the war, George Washington proved his mettle. His bravery and loyalty made him more than just a soldier and a man to be trusted. It made him a hero who ultimately led the colonists to independence. But that is another story.

Young Washington deals with the French and Indian War, where the frontier was up for grabs, at least according to the French and British. This film lays the foundation on which George Washington built military career, his life, and his history.

Mary-Louise Parker co-stars as Mary Washington, George’s mother, who was strict but kind. She knew her son’s strength and although did not want him to go to war, knew he had the ability to lead, no matter what he thought of himself. Ben Kingsley co-stars as Robert Dinwiddie, the governor of Virginia.

“George Washington’s early years is a story I’ve wanted to tell for a very long time,” said Jon Erwin, director of Young Washington and founder of Wonder Project. “The trials he faced shaped the man who would lead a nation, and so much of that journey remains largely untold. Bringing this powerful story to life with such an extraordinary cast is a dream come true.”

“When we launched pre-sale tickets a year before opening day, thousands were purchased immediately, and sales have continued steadily since,” said Brandon Purdie, Head of Theatrical Distribution and Brand Development at Angel Studios. “Opening in theaters during the Independence Day holiday and the 250th anniversary of America, the film will bring an untold chapter of our founding to audiences nationwide.”

Patriotism is thriving in the U.S.A.

Young Washington will premiere in theaters nationwide on July 3, 2026. That weekend marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

PG-13 for sequences of strong war violence and some bloody images.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She is a long-standing member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.