The War of 1812

"A small but bitter war - that forged the destiny of a continent."

Oct 10 2011 TV-PG 2h 0m
Drama, War

The War 1812 is a two-hour film history of a deeply significant event in North American and world history. The war shaped American, Canadian and British destiny in the most literal way possible: had one or two battles or decisions gone a different way, a map of the United States today would look entirely (and shockingly) different. The fires of this war forged the nation of Canada; at the same time, the result tolled the end of Native American dreams of a separate nation. By war's end, the process of Native nation removal had already begun in the southeast, paving the way for a Cotton Kingdom powered by slavery, and a United States that had been on the verge of collapse was ready to announce its arrival as a global power. The U.S. did not win the War of 1812, but the noble experiment of democracy had managed to survive intense pressure from without, and within.

Plot

For two and a half years, Americans fought Against the British, Canadian colonists, and native nations. In the years to come, the War of 1812 would be celebrated in some places and essentially forgotten in others. But it is a war worth remembering-a struggle that threatened the existence of Canada, then divided the United States so deeply that the nation almost broke apart. Some of its battles and heroes became legendary, yet its blunders and cowards were just as prominent. The film shows how the glories of war became enshrined in history - how failures are quickly forgotten - how inconvenient truths are ignored forever. With stunning re-enactments, evocative animation and the incisive commentary of key experts, The War of 1812 presents the conflict that forged the destiny of a continent.

Written by

Ken Chowder

Directed by

Diane Garey, Lawrence R. Hott

Cast

Christopher Kozak, Joe Mantegna, Craig Williams

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

WNED-TV Channel 17, Florentine Films

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
197
Average Rating
7.5 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA