The Energy War

The Energy War

1979 1 Seasons 3 Episodes ⭐ 7.0 Documentary

In the 1970s, the U.S. faced an energy crisis so severe that President Jimmy Carter declared it “the moral equivalent of war.” Seeking to curb the country’s dependence on foreign oil, Carter kicked off a legislative melee with the divisive Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 at its center. This epic look at the inner workings of government chronicles the arduous efforts of lobbyists, senators, cabinet members, and the president himself to reach a compromise amid a deeply divided Congress. Directed by legendary documentary filmmakers D. A. Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus, and Pat Powell as a three-part PBS special, THE ENERGY WAR is a riveting immersion into the high-stakes world of DC dealmaking as well as a timely account of the messy realities of lawmaking in a fractious political environment.

In the 1970s, the U.S. faced an energy crisis so severe that President Jimmy Carter declared it “the moral equivalent of war.” Seeking to curb the country’s dependence on foreign oil, Carter kicked off a legislative melee with the divisive Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 at its center. This epic look at the inner workings of government chronicles the arduous efforts of lobbyists, senators, cabinet members, and the president himself to reach a compromise amid a deeply divided Congress. Directed by legendary documentary filmmakers D. A. Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus, and Pat Powell as a three-part PBS special, THE ENERGY WAR is a riveting immersion into the high-stakes world of DC dealmaking as well as a timely account of the messy realities of lawmaking in a fractious political environment.

Seasons & Episodes

EP 1

Mark Up

Covers the frantic lobbying through the first test vote on the Senate floor.

EP 2

Filibuster

Spans the historic eight-day filibuster and subsequent passage by the Senate of a bill diametrically opposed to the Pres

EP 3

Final Vote

Depicts the Herculean effort by the President, Secretary Schlesinger, and congressional allies, to wrest a natural gas c

Popular Cast

Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
Self - President of the USA
Ted Kennedy
Ted Kennedy
Self - US Senator
Gary Hart
Gary Hart
Self - US Senator
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Self - Canadian Prime Minister
James R. Schlesinger
James R. Schlesinger
Self - US Secretary of Energy
Lloyd Bentsen
Lloyd Bentsen
Self - US Senator