McCarthy

Power Feeds on Fear

"McCarthy" chronicles the rise and fall of Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin senator who came to power after a stunning victory in an election no one thought he could win. Once in office, he declared that there was a vast conspiracy threatening America — emanating not from a rival superpower, but from within. Free of restraint or oversight, he conducted a crusade against those he accused of being enemies of the state, a chilling campaign marked by groundless accusations, bullying intimidation, grandiose showmanship and cruel victimization. With lawyer Roy Cohn at his side, he belittled critics, spinning a web of lies and distortions while spreading fear and confusion. After years in the headlines, he was brought down by his own excesses and overreach. But his name lives on linked to the modern-day witch hunt we call “McCarthyism.”

Cast

Joseph McCarthy

Self - (archive footage)

Donald Ritchie

Self

Beverly Gage

Self

Tim Naftali

Self

Jelani Cobb

Self

Sam Tanenhaus

Self

John Madigan

Self

Edward R. Murrow

Self - (archive footage)

Alvin Spivak

Self

Leon Kamin

Self

David Lattimore

Self

Dolly Plesser

Self