An Empire of Reason (1988)

Documentary · Drama · History

Overview

Docudrama about the debate surrounding New York State's ratification of the United States Constitution. Historical figures wear modern dress and use familiar language to help today's audience understand firsthand the forces that shaped this country two hundred years ago. The argument, characters, passions and debating points are historically accurate, but the language and the medium of the debate is modern in form. Present day newscasters and commentators play themselves, reporting on the events of the 1780s as though they were occurring now.

Cast

• Cokie Roberts as Self - Host
• William F. Buckley Jr. as Self
• Walter Cronkite as Self
• John Chancellor as Self
• Phil Donahue as Self
• Robert MacNeil as Self
• Andrea Mitchell as Self
• Al Roker as Self
• Forrest Sawyer as Self
• Jamey Sheridan as Daniel Shays

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