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 & crew

David McCulloughSelf - Writer / Narrator

Cokie RobertsSelf - Journalist

Alistair CookeSelf - Journalist

Arthur MillerSelf

Charles McDowell

Charles McDowellSelf - Newspaperman

Barbara Fields

Barbara FieldsSelf - Historian

John C. Stennis

John C. StennisSelf - Former Senator

David S. Broder

David S. BroderSelf - Reporter

George Tames

George TamesSelf - Photographer

James MacGregor Burns

James MacGregor BurnsSelf - Historian

Jerome Dempsey

Jerome Dempsey(voice)

Shelby Foote

Shelby Foote(voice)