Chapter by chapter
Prologue
The film opens in 1832 as Eliza Hamilton, age 83, widow of Alexander Hamilton, seeks the assistance of famed jurist James Kent on a biography of her husband.
Their reminiscing invites a portrayal of events in 1804, the year of Hamilton’s death, including his fatal duel with Aaron Burr.
The great lawyer Hamilton performs before a packed Albany courtroom a few months before the duel, during which he eulogizes the late Washington as “an aegis very essential to me“. He was an aegis to Hamilton’s dreams and the dreams of a nation.
Hamilton’s death begins the linear story (told in flashback) in St. Croix with the precocious14-year-old Hamilton serving as a clerk in a trading business.
Chapter 1: The Battle is Engaged
Hamilton, age 18, alone and determined to raise his prospects, travels to New York on a scholarship and soon becomes radicalized to the Patriot cause against the British, participating in rebellious activities in New York.
Both the British and American perspectives on the conflict are shown in two famous speeches: Edmund Burke before Parliament (“Speech on American Taxation”) and Patrick Henry before the Virginia House of Burgesses (the “Liberty or Death” speech).
The film’s inciting incident (point of no return) is the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World at Concord Bridge in the Spring of 1775.
Chapter 2: "I Do Not Think Myself Equal..."
Washington leaves his comfortable existence at Mount Vernon and travels to Philadelphia where the Continental Congress is convened. He is the prime candidate to lead the American Army.
He flashes back to his challenges and failures that he endured in his prior military career. He accepts the helm of the Army, expressing to the Congress his strong reluctance.
Hamilton, then a member of a New York militia, glimpses the regal Washington, along with his future father-in-law Philip Schuyler, for the first time as Washington parades through New York en route to Cambridge to meet his troops.
Chapter 3: Hamilton's Ideal - Introducing the Schuyler Family
Hamilton quickly advances in the Army in New York.
He soon will enter the orbit of the Schuyler family, one of New York wealthiest families based in Albany. The family patriarch Philip Schuyler, a General in the Continental Army, is a friend and social equal of Washington.
The scenes of the life of the Schuylers through the eyes of a visitor Tenche Tilghman (a future aide to Washington) along with earlier scenes at Mount Vernon, place the viewer firmly in the world of late 18th century America
Chapter 4: Flight from New York
Days after the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, Washington stares down a massive show of British military force in New York Harbor.
Washington rejects out of hand an offer to surrender in exchange for a pardon from the British Commander Lord Howe. This scene eerily parallels the story of his role model Cato, who rejects Caesar’s offer of a pardon in exchange for his surrender, opting for a noble death rather than to live under Caesar’s corrupt regime.
Washington’s Continental Army faces off against the British in New York and are routed, causing the Army to flee New York and across New Jersey. It is during this retreat that Washington first takes note of Hamilton’s military skills.
Chapter 5: Earnest Aide de Camp
As 1776 draws to a close, Washington attempts to keep his Army intact in the face of soldier commissions expiring at year-end.
Hamilton observes Washington’s great leadership with admiration during the Trenton campaign. “Infected… by the fervor of the times”, Hamilton joins Washington’s staff and earnestly sets out to earn Washington’s favor.
American General and Washington rival Horatio Gates treats another honor-sensitive soldier, Benedict Arnold, with ingratitude and disdain, which serves as a strong counterpoint to Washington’s treatment of Hamilton.
Chapter 6: Tensions Mount
Hamilton toils for three years as a key aide to Washington, writing orders and handling administrative matters within Washington’s family as he awaits an opportunity for his own command.
Because Washington relies heavily on his administrative skill, he cannot spare him. To make matters worse, Hamilton as his closest aide bears the brunt of Washington’s many frustrations. He begins to draw away from Washington.
Arnold’s treason at West Point devastates Washington and highlight the huge challenges and intense pressure he continually faces.
Chapter 7: The January 1781 Mutinies
The War enters its seventh year. The American soldiers, barely clothed, hungry and unpaid, begin to mutiny, requiring quick and decisive action by Washington to stem this threat. Some of the lead mutineers are executed.
In the midst of these intractable problems, Hamilton lobbies Washington to raise his status as a soldier “above mediocrity” by granting him a military command but no such command is granted.
Chapter 8: "...We part..."
Having reached his limit of enduring Washington’s ill temper, Hamilton finally will not accept another scolding from Washington. When chastised on the stairs of Washington’s headquarters on the Hudson River, Hamilton responded “since you think it necessary to tell me, we part.” Hamilton resigns.
The egos of many other self-important Generals might have canceled a recalcitrant aide for such an affront. Not Washington. He flashes back to his ambitious aims when he was a young officer being thwarted by his British superiors.
Washington’s great emotional intelligence is viewed by many historians as his greatest strength.
Chapter 9: Finally, a War Hero
The strong family theme of this film – warts and all – is shown in a scene soon after Hamilton’s resignation, when the two men are present at the baptism of Philip Schuyler’s newborn child, where Washington serves as godfather.
The relentless Hamilton and wife Eliza set up house across the Hudson River from the Army camp, and he continues to lobby the patient Washington for a command.
After the relentless Hamilton again strenuously makes his case, Washington finally relents and tasks Hamilton to lead a key military attack on Redoubt 10 at Yorktown, the ultimate and decisive battle of the War. Hamilton is a now war hero.
Chapter 10: A Hard Lesson
Now a member of Congress, Hamilton is keenly aware of the dire need to fund the War effort and pay the soldiers. He seeks Washington’s support to use the Army as leverage to achieve a federal tax, asking that he “guide the torrent and bring order, perhaps good, out of confusion.”
In the midst of this intrigue, Washington exhibits extraordinary leadership at Newburgh, putting down a potential mutiny among his officers. He implores patience and deference to Congress addressing America’s ills in an orderly way.
Washington counsels Hamilton that an Army is a “dangerous instrument to play with.
Hamilton will experience this firsthand as in June 1783 he must diffuse a threatened mutinous storming of Independence Hall by exasperated American soldiers.
Chapter 11: "the Greatest Man in the World"
Washington leads his victorious Continental Army back into New York City after being driven out of the city by the British seven years earlier. Celebration.
Washington then relinquishes his military commission to the Continental Congress sitting in Annapolis and, like the ancient Roman warrior Cincinnatus, returns to his farm. He travels from Annapolis to Mount Vernon in time for Christmas dinner.
Washington relinquishing his military commission prompted King George, III of England to call Washington the “greatest man in the world.
Epilogue
The film ends back in the present (1832). Eliza Hamilton and two young grandsons are escorted to her carriage by Judge Kent as they watch a student orating on a stump who resembles a young Alexander Hamilton.