Founding Fathers

Overview

Four episodes: "Rebels With A Cause" discusses Sam Adams and John Hancock and how they influenced the start of the revolution. "Taking Liberties" discusses the heavy British tax levies, the Boston Massacre, the eloquence of orator Patrick Henry and the attempt of Benjamin Franklin to patch things up with King George. "You Say You Want a Revolution" discusses Thomas Jefferson, the early failures of George Washington, the arrest of Benjamin Franklin's son for plotting to aid the British and the support of the French. "A healthy Constitution" goes into what happened after the final defeat of the British, the lack of funds to run the country, James Madison's salvation of the revolution, and George Washington's refusal of the title "King".

Cast

Edward Herrmann

Narrator

Beau Bridges

Samuel Adams (voice)

James Woods

John Adams (voice)

Peter Coyote

John Hancock (voice) / Thomas Jefferson (voice)

Michael York

Alexander Hamilton (voice) / Thomas Paine (voice)

Randy Travis

James Madison (voice)

Hal Holbrook

Benjamin Franklin (voice)

Burt Reynolds

Patrick Henry (voice)

Brian Dennehy

George Washington (voice)

W

William M. Fowler Jr.

Self

C

Carol Berkin

Self

Roger Mudd

Self

M

Marvin Kitman

Self

About the Series