The Congress ( 1989 )

Overview

For 200 years, the United States Congress has been one of the country's most important and least understood institutions. In this elegant, thoughtful and often touching portrait, Ken Burns explores the history and promise of this unique American institution. Using historical photographs and newsreels, evocative live footage and interviews with David Broder, Alistair Cooke, Cokie Roberts, Charles McDowell and others, the award-winning film chronicles the personalities, events and issues that have animated the first 200 years of Congress and, in turn, our country.

Top Cast

David McCullough

Self - Writer / Narrator

Cokie Roberts

Self - Journalist

Alistair Cooke

Self - Journalist

Arthur Miller

Self

Charles McDowell

Self - Newspaperman

Barbara Fields

Self - Historian

John C. Stennis

Self - Former Senator

David Broder

Self - Reporter

George Tames

Self - Photographer

James MacGregor Burns

Self - Historian

Jerome Dempsey

(voice)

Shelby Foote

(voice)

Ronnie Gilbert

(voice)

Julie Harris

(voice)

Derek Jacobi

(voice)

Garrison Keillor

(voice)

Walt MacPherson

(voice)