The Ghosts Of '87

Actor Cliff Robertson delivers a tour-de-force performance in this one-man reconstruction of the eventful convention during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, which would result in the birth of the Constitution of the United States. Fifty-five delegates from twelve of the thirteen states met to revise the Articles of Confederation, but after five months of heated debate, closed off from the public, emerged with a whole new system of government. Robertson narrates the story of, and takes the part of ten key figures (ghosts) of, that historic convention in this stimulating stage production filmed before a live audience. One of the primary ghosts is the feverish figure of James Madison (often called the "father of the Constitution") who took 600 pages of handwritten notes, and presented what was officially known as "The Virginia Plan", but was largely acknowledged to be "The Madison Plan". The wheeling and dealing, concessions and demands, emotional outbursts and moments of quiet reflection-Robertson somehow manages to capture all of this singlehandedly, while staying in character for personalities as diverse as James Madison and Ben Franklin. An excellent program; highly recommended. (Available from: The Constitution Project, P.O. Box 1787, Portland, OR 97207.)