Video Sources
An Empire of Reason
Synopsis
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.
Original Title
An Empire of Reason
Director
Muffie Meyer
Ellen Giffard
Cokie Roberts
Self - Host
William F. Buckley Jr.
Self
Walter Cronkite
Self
John Chancellor
Self
Phil Donahue
Self
No Image
Robert MacNeil
Self
Andrea Mitchell
Self
Al Roker
Self
Forrest Sawyer
Self
Jamey Sheridan
Daniel Shays
Ed Koch
Mayor of New York City, 1788
James Rebhorn
Jesse Woodhull
