An Empire of Reason

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

Self - Host

William F. Buckley Jr.

Self

Walter Cronkite

Self

John Chancellor

Self

Phil Donahue

Self

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