An Empire of Reason (1988)
58m
Running Time
July 3, 1988Release Date
Plot.
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.
Where to Watch.
No streaming offers found
Cast & Crew.

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

Mario Cuomo
Self

Charlayne Hunter-Gault
Self

François Giroday
Alexander Hamilton

Christopher Curry
John Lansing, Jr.

Nesbitt Blaisdell
Gov. George Clinton

Sol Wachtler
John Jay

Drew Snyder
Demonstrator

Joseph Warren
Robert Yates

John C. Vennema
Robert R. Livingston

E.G. Marshall
Federalist Spokesman

Rex Robbins
Isaac Roosevelt

Edwin McDonough
Donahue Audience Member

Richard Bright
Donahue Audience Member

Richard Seff
Donahue Audience Member

William Duell
Donahue Audience Member

MacIntyre Dixon
Donahue Audience Member

Patrick Clear
Donahue Audience Member

Eli Wallach
Anti-Federalist Spokesman

Roberts Blossom
Melancton Smith

Guy Paul
Convention Secretary

Jonathan Bolt
Anti-Federalist Delegate

Stu Daly
Voice-over Announcer

Ellen Giffard
Director / Producer

Muffie Meyer
Director / Producer

Ed Marritz
Director of Photography

Alison Ellwood
Editor

Arnold Black
Original Music Composer

Lynn Piasecki
Associate Producer

John Wright Stevens
Art Direction

Barbara Shapiro
Casting Director

Eve Battaglia
Casting Assistant

Judy Claman
Extras Casting

Lawrence Silk
Additional Editing

Margaret Peckham
Assistant Art Director

Jeanette Oleksa
Set Decoration

Michael Zande
Set Dresser

Mary Jane McCarty
Costume Designer

Susan Douglas
Wardrobe Supervisor

Jo-ann Dumm
Makeup & Hair

Amy J. Kaufman
Co-Producer

Ronald Blumer
Writer

Nicole A. Gordon
Executive Producer

Brenda Goodman
Assistant Director

Kyle McCarthy
Assistant Director
Media.

Details.
This Movie Is About.
new york state
media & politics
american history