An Empire of Reason (1988)

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.

Genres: Documentary, Drama, History

Stars: Cokie Roberts, William F. Buckley Jr., Walter Cronkite, John Chancellor, Phil Donahue