

When veteran anchorman Howard Beale is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ratings.
Writing
Chayefsky's sermon-dialogue that actors chew like raw meat.
Acting
Finch's live-wire meltdown; Dunaway's ratings-crazed shark.
Direction
Lumet's clinical eye—treating madness like a shareholder meeting.

Director
Sidney Lumet
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Peter Finch died of a heart attack two months after winning his posthumous Oscar—the ultimate method performance.
The film's 'mad as hell' speech became an actual protest chant; Chayefsky later sued to stop real networks from using it ironically.