The Energy War

The Energy War — Plot

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.

• Release date
• January 1, 1979
• TMDB score
• 7

The Energy War — Cast

Jimmy Carter Self - President of the USA Ted Kennedy Self - US Senator Gary Hart Self - US Senator Pierre Elliott Trudeau Self - Canadian Prime Minister

M

Mike Gravel Self - US Senator James R. Schlesinger Self - US Secretary of Energy

R

Russell Long Self - US Senator

J

James Abourezk Self - US Senator