5 faith-filled, family-friendly movies streaming this fall
3. 'Young Washington' — Wonder Project on Prime Video, streaming now
After its theatrical run over the Fourth of July weekend, “Young Washington” is now streaming through Wonder Project’s subscription service on Prime Video.
Directed by “Jesus Revolution” filmmaker Jon Erwin, the historical drama stars William Franklyn-Miller as a young George Washington and examines the failures, losses and difficult decisions that helped shape the future commander of the Continental Army and first president of the United States.
The cast also includes Ben Kingsley, Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker, Andy Serkis and for KING + COUNTRY singer Joel Smallbone.
The film ranked No. 2 at the domestic box office on July 4 as the United States marked its 250th anniversary and now anchors Wonder Project’s “Stories Worth Knowing” collection.
Ahead of the film’s theatrical release, Erwin told The Christian Post that he wanted the movie to strip away the mythology surrounding Washington and show audiences the human being underneath.
“This is our love letter to the country itself and its first founder,” Erwin said. “I hope that we can all put away our arms for a minute and celebrate the story of America together.”
Erwin said he was particularly interested in Washington’s early failures and the role they played in developing his character.
“I think failure is the great teacher, and it's the courage to endure that counts,” he said.
“What was so relatable about it to me was that he was forged in things that we all relate to — loss, failure, hardship, the adventure, the risk, the frontier, trying something you don't know how to do,” Erwin told CP. “It was his endurance through that that made him the leader that he became.”
Grammer, who plays Washington's mentor, Lord Thomas Fairfax, told CP that participating in the film also reflected his personal admiration for the Founding Father.
“I feel a personal sense of debt to him for being in this country that I love because of what he did for me,” Grammer said. “I'll never forget it, and I will always praise it, and I stand in admiration of him for my entire life.”
Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: leah.klett@christianpost.com
