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.

Sidney Lumet (1924–2011) was a legendary American film and television director. Known as the ultimate “actor’s director,” he helmed over 40 films spanning five decades. Lumet is celebrated for his gritty, realistic New York City settings, intense psychological tension, and bold examinations of moral conflict and systemic corruption.