In the role of George Washington, Sebastian Roche has his costume and makeup adjusted prior to filming a scene in which he leads the Continental Army across the Delaware River. Photos by REZA MARVASHTI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Produced by Greystone Films, an 18-minute feature, is being shot and produced at Mount Vernon. Photos by REZA MARVASHTI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Waiting in the wings for the command of 'action,' crew members aim fans at the actors in order to introduce fake snow onto the set to replicate the weather when the troops crossed the Delaware River. Photos by REZA MARVASHTI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

In the role of Continental Army soldiers about to cross the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War, actors wait on the set between takes as grips and crew members adjust lighting. The film will be shown to visitors in the new Ford Orientation Center. Photos by REZA MARVASHTI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

New, 18-minute film is designed to help a younger audience think differently of the Father of Our Country

Date published: 5/19/2006

By MICHAEL ZITZ

MOUNT VERNON--It was a warm, sunny spring day at Mount Vernon.

But it was snowing.

And George Washington was gravely contemplating crossing the Delaware. And striding away purposefully. And gravely contemplating. And striding away purposefully. And gravely contemplating. And striding away purposefully, fake flakes dusting his broad shoulders.

A production company was rehearsing a scene for an 18-minute film to be a focal point of the new $100 million orientation center and museum to open Oct. 27 at George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens in eastern Fairfax County.

Mount Vernon wants to change the Father of Our Country's image from dour to dashing. They want to help young people relate to Washington.

It's billing the short film as "a mini-epic [that] will reintroduce visitors to the charismatic American hero."

The $5.2 million movie is being filmed primarily around Mount Vernon, with shooting to be completed today.

There tall, chiseled actor Sebastian Roche is endeavoring to show the world the Washington who historians say made women sigh and enemies tremble. Replacing the anything-but-sexy older man whose false teeth are bothering him on the dollar bill.

As he waited to film a scene in which George and Martha Washington meet, Roche talked about the challenge of playing a mythic and complicated figure who was both charismatic and reserved--and trying to change deeply held perceptions about an American icon in a matter of minutes.

Producer Craig Haffner said the film will portray George and wife, Martha, as "a couple who had chemistry."

It was an arranged marriage, Roche said, but "when she saw this 6-foot-2 hero, it must've been love at first sight."

Haffner characterized Washington as "a warm human being" whose "majestic" bearing is now incorrectly interpreted by many as cold aloofness.

James Rees, Mount Vernon's executive director, said the film will portray the real George Washington, whom he called "the 18th century's greatest action hero." The image-changing effort could make Washington "a new kind of American Idol."

Rees said he wants to wipe the slate clean of Washington's "old and stiff" dollar bill image.

Date published: 5/19/2006