The Congress

The story

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.

Cast

D David McCulloughSelf - Writer / Narrator C Cokie RobertsSelf - Journalist A Alistair CookeSelf - Journalist A Arthur MillerSelf C Charles McDowellSelf - Newspaperman B Barbara FieldsSelf - Historian J John C. StennisSelf - Former Senator D David S. BroderSelf - Reporter G George TamesSelf - Photographer J James MacGregor BurnsSelf - Historian J Jerome Dempsey(voice) S Shelby Foote(voice)

See more cast

R Ronnie Gilbert(voice) J Julie Harris(voice) D Derek Jacobi(voice) G Garrison Keillor(voice) W Walt MacPherson(voice)