Article: Evolution of a hero to a traitor: PBS film explores Benedict Arnold, a star at Saratoga who soured at West Point.

Byline: Paul Grondahl

Sep. 16--NASSAU -- It was the spring of 1777 and British Redcoats had just shot Gen. Benedict Arnold's horse out from under him in a hail of lead at the Battle of Ridgefield.

"Cut!"

Director Chris Stearns had a problem.

R.J., a specially trained horse from Columbia County, whose credits include the movie "Hidalgo," wasn't taking direction well.

R.J. did fine dropping into the dirt and rolling onto his side. The problem was, he kept getting up before Arnold's climactic scene was completed.

"Dead horses don't get up," said Tom Mercer, of Slingerlands, a producer.

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