Plot Synopsis

Narrated by Jeff Daniels and executive produced by world-renowned presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, WASHINGTON is a six-hour, three-night docuseries that explores the full arc of George Washington's journey and weaves together dramatic live-action re-creations, excerpts from the letters of America's first President, and insights from experts, historians and scholars to tell a very personal story about the evolution of one of history's most iconic leaders. The miniseries examines Washington's transformation from a young man seeking to rise as a military officer, into a determined revolutionary who led a rag-tag army against the British Empire. Ultimately, Washington would become the reluctant leader of a fledgling new nation and lay the foundation for its eventual emergence as the world's greatest superpower. WASHINGTON features interviews with President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning historians Joseph J. Ellis, Annette Gordon-Reed, Jon Meacham, Alan Taylor and others.

"As a presidential historian, it's been my privilege to 'live with' some of our nation's best leaders as I have sought to make them human and accessible, so that we could truly see ourselves in their places and learn from the trajectory of their leadership. Imagine how excited I was for the opportunity to go back to the beginning to George Washington, the man who created the template for presidential excellence through his courage, ability to grow, to learn from mistakes and surround himself with strong leaders. I hope that viewers will be as captivated by his life and story as I have been," said Goodwin.

Episodes include:

"Loyal Subject" (Sunday, February 16, 2020 from 8-10pm): A young George Washington hungers for fame and prestige as an officer in the British military. Sent by the British royal governor to deliver an ultimatum to the French in the West, the inexperienced young Washington learns a hard lesson about leadership when his failures in the field inadvertently kick off a world war. Washington emerges from this conflict as America's first folk hero, just as he begins to grow disenchanted with the empire he once aspired to serve. And with a wealthy new wife at his side and a lucrative business at Mount Vernon, Washington has put himself at the center of this country's story--chosen to lead the coming revolution.

"Rebel Commander" (Monday, February 17, 2020 from 8-10pm): The British are no longer coming, they're here. And as the American colonies make their final break from the British empire, their newly minted commander-in-chief George Washington realizes he's been handed a nearly impossible task -- fighting the most powerful and seasoned armed forces in the world with a ragtag group of soldiers that is undisciplined, inexperienced and underfunded. With no formal military training or major victory to his name, Washington sets the course for achieving the unimaginable through cunning, ingenuity and sheer force of will. And he is transformed in the process, from a man driven by personal ambition and animus for the British, to a man called to lead a cause far larger -- the cause of liberty.

"Father of His Country" (Tuesday, February 18, 2020 from 8-10pm): The Revolution has been won, but for Washington, the problems, even within his own army, are just beginning. With the fate of the young republic at stake, Washington once again rises to the moment, becoming the inevitable, though reluctant, hero his country needs. Having evolved from soldier to commander to victor, Washington does what no revolutionary leader has ever done before: He wills the power to the people. While warring nations attack America's borders and uprisings threaten from within, Washington builds the new United States up with his bare hands -- enduring treachery and personal attacks -- while setting the country on a course that still dictates much of the American experience to this day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Lionsgate Home Entertainment released WASHINGTON with all six-hour of the outstanding event docuseries. Narrated by Jeff Daniels, WASHINGTON tells the story of a young soldier who becomes the leader of men in a liberty-or-death campaign to forge a new nation. At the zenith of his power, George Washington retires to live out his days as a farmer. But with the young country on the verge of collapse, he is once again called to lead, creating the most powerful democracy in history. Executive produced by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and best-selling author Doris Kearns Goodwin, and featuring commentary from former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and a number of esteemed historians, WASHINGTON chips away the marble to reveal the man at the heart of our nation's story. Run Time: 258 minutes. A must-own for history buffs. Buy and binge now! (Click the red "Buy DVDs" button on this page)