Washington: The Early Years

I have been known to cry every time I hear the National Anthem or “God Bless America.” Furthermore, I always stand when veterans pass by in a parade. I tear up and take pictures of flags when I see them; these things are expected. What I did not expect was to sob through most of Young Washington. This movie caught me completely off guard. I will say upfront that this film fully earns its PG-13 rating for its very realistic portrayal of battle, but you want to know if it’s worthy of your time, and in this Young Washington Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before seeing this movie.

Let me tell you something that might explain why this movie wrecked me. The exterior of my home is modeled after Mount Vernon, the home of America’s first president. Over my fireplace sits a picture of Mount Vernon that I owned before I built my house. I actually built the fireplace around that picture. Portraits of George Washington grace the walls of that room. I am not related to him. There is no explanation outside of the divine. If you could meet anyone from history outside of family, who would that be? George Washington would be on my list; you can see the fingerprints of a God who had a plan. So when I say Young Washington hit me differently, I mean it.

Young Washington releases into theaters July 3, 2026.

Young Washington Synopsis

Studio Synopsis:

Before he was the Father of a Nation, he was a soldier fighting to survive. A single misstep thrusts young George Washington into the center of a global conflict, testing his honor, loyalty, and courage. As alliances crumble and the frontier erupts into war, he must confront not only his enemies but the man he’s becoming. This is the untold story of Young Washington.

My Synopsis:

Meet George Washington. This film takes you from the time he was about 11 years old until about 1755, primarily focusing on the years between 1753-1755 and the French-Indian War.

Young Washington Christian Movie Review – What Parents Want to Know:

Language:

​A few uses of d-mn, 1 h-ll, and a b-stard.

Violence:

Parents should know that the battle sequences in this film are graphic and realistic. There are bloody battle scenes with many soldiers dying, including up-close depictions of several characters dying throughout the film. One man is shown with blood around his mouth. A casket is shown early in the movie; it belongs to George Washington’s father. Washington is also shown burying a man. Two men fall through ice into freezing water in a wintertime scene, though they make it to land. Slaves are shown several times throughout the film.

Some of the violence is implied. You see Native Americans with tomahawks and using them to kill, but you don’t actually see the killing. Additionally, one chief talks about how he was taken by the French and forced to watch his father boiled and eaten. In another scene, a surgeon is using a saw. You don’t see what or who he is cutting.

Spiritual Content:

George’s mother, Mary says that “Providence denied” her a husband with her. George retorts, “Then Providence is cruel.” God is referred to in different ways such as “The Creator,” “Divine Providence,” etc.

George asks for God’s help. 

In a battle, George Washington is shot at. Two horses are shot from under him. Later, it is revealed that there are 4 bullet holes in his coat and one in his hat. While some historians want to discount this, here are George’s own words in a letter to his family

“By the all powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me!” 

Other Content:

George walks into a tavern where people are drinking, playing cards and partying. There are a couple of parties where alcohol is shown.

Positive Content:

One of the most powerful threads running through this film is Divine Providence. George Washington genuinely believed that the affairs of governments were governed by God, and this film reflects that. He held duty, honor, and service as core values and clearly felt a deep calling, though early on some of that drive seemed rooted in pride and a desire to make a name for himself. What is remarkable is watching how God worked through him and spared his life in ways that can only be described as miraculous.

Most people do not know the story of Washington being shot at repeatedly during the French-Indian War. A native american native chief specifically wanted him dead and instructed his men to target him. Two horses were shot out from under him. His coat had four bullet holes in it. His hat had a bullet hole through it. And yet his life was spared every single time. These stories were told to schoolchildren, but at some point they were dropped from the history books.

Equally worth noting is the transformation this film captures: in 1755, George Washington desperately wanted to fight for the British and earn a commission from England. Twenty years later, that same man was leading the charge against British army in the American Revolution to establish our own rule of law.

Young Washington – My Viewing Recommendations:

Absolutely fantastic movie. I doubt you will cry, but if you do, drop me a line and let me know at [email protected]. While some critics will disagree, I believe that this is Director Jon Erwin’s best faith-based film (House of David, I Can Only Imagine). 

However, keep in mind, Young Washington is definitely not for young children. My age recommendation is 12 to 13 and up.

I personally hope there will be another movie featuring George Washington’s life beyond the French-Indian War.

Young Washington – About the Movie

Release Date: July 3, 2026

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

Runtime: 2 hours 2 minutes

Studio: Wonder Project / 2521 Entertainment / Red 56

Distributed by: Angel Studios

Directed by: Jon Erwin

Produced by: Jon Erwin, Chip Diggins, Benton Crane, Tyler Zacharia

Written by: Jon Erwin, Tom Provost, Diederik Hoogstraten

Genre: Drama, History, War

The Cast of Young Washington:

William Franklyn-Miller as George Washington

Mary-Louise Parker as Mary Ball Washington

Ben Kingsley as Governor Robert Dinwiddie

Andy Serkis as General Edward Braddock

Kelsey Grammer as Lord Fairfax

Joel Smallbone as William Fairfax

Mia Rodgers as Sally Cary/Fairfax

Jonno Davies as James Mackay

John Foss as Lawrence Washington

Will Joseph as Young George Washington

Michael Benz as Thomas Gage

Leo Hanna as Christopher Gist