The story follows Howard Beale (Peter Finch), a veteran news anchor for the fictional UBS network. Upon learning he is being fired
due to declining ratings, Beale has a psychological breakdown and announces on live television that he will commit suicide during a future broadcast.
Instead of terminating his employment, the network's ambitious programming executive, Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway),
recognises the ratings potential of Beale's instability. She transforms his news slot into a sensationalist variety show where Beale
becomes a "mad prophet of the airwaves," famously urging viewers to lean out their windows and shout, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!".
Director - Sidney Lumet
Run time 2h 1min
Academy Awards 1977
Best Actor – Peter Finch (posthumous)
Best Actress – Faye Dunaway
Best Supporting Actress – Beatrice Straight
Best Original Screenplay – Paddy Chayefsky
The story follows Howard Beale (Peter Finch), a veteran news anchor for the fictional UBS network. Upon learning he is being fired
due to declining ratings, Beale has a psychological breakdown and announces on live television that he will commit suicide during a future broadcast.
Instead of terminating his employment, the network's ambitious programming executive, Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway),
recognises the ratings potential of Beale's instability. She transforms his news slot into a sensationalist variety show where Beale
becomes a "mad prophet of the airwaves," famously urging viewers to lean out their windows and shout, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!".
Director - Sidney Lumet
Run time 2h 1min
Academy Awards 1977
Best Actor – Peter Finch (posthumous)
Best Actress – Faye Dunaway
Best Supporting Actress – Beatrice Straight
Best Original Screenplay – Paddy Chayefsky
Image 1 of 2
Image 2 of 2