Screenplay data
Lowell Bergman, a producer for 60 Minutes, recruits former tobacco executive Jeffrey Wigand to expose Brown & Williamson's unethical practices, including manipulating nicotine delivery and adding harmful additives. Wigand, under a strict confidentiality agreement, faces intense pressure, death threats, and a smear campaign orchestrated by the tobacco industry, leading to his wife Liane divorcing him and his family's safety being compromised. Despite a gag order and the immense personal cost, Wigand bravely testifies in a Mississippi lawsuit against Big Tobacco, revealing the industry's lies under oath. CBS initially caves to corporate pressure, fearing a lawsuit from Brown & Williamson that could jeopardize the network's sale to Westinghouse, and airs a heavily edited version of Wigand's interview, omitting his crucial testimony.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The Insider follows investigative producer Lowell Bergman as he uncovers a tobacco industry whistleblower, Jeffrey Wigand, and fights corporate and legal pressure to air his revelations on 60 Minutes.
Open full beat sheetJeffrey Wigand is listed as Former R&D Executive at Brown & Williamson. A man of science, precise, direct, and under immense pressure as a whistleblower. In the parsed data, Jeffrey Wigand is connected to 41 scenes, 43 dialogue lines, 44 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
41 scenes / 43 dialogue linesLowell Bergman is listed as Producer for 60 Minutes. A dedicated, principled, and tenacious investigative journalist. In the parsed data, Lowell Bergman is connected to 39 scenes, 41 dialogue lines, 42 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
39 scenes / 41 dialogue linesMike Wallace is listed as 60 Minutes Correspondent. A legendary, intelligent, and sometimes arrogant television journalist. In the parsed data, Mike Wallace is connected to 17 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
17 scenes / 18 dialogue linesLiane Wigand is listed as Jeffrey's wife. Pretty, reserved, and struggling with the suburban pressures and the fallout of Jeffrey's firing. In the parsed data, Liane Wigand is connected to 13 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
13 scenes / 7 dialogue linesRichard Scruggs is listed as Attorney. A sharp, experienced lawyer representing the State of Mississippi against Big Tobacco. In the parsed data, Richard Scruggs is connected to 9 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
9 scenes / 9 dialogue linesDon Hewitt is listed as Executive Producer of 60 Minutes. A high-energy, pragmatic television executive. In the parsed data, Don Hewitt is connected to 7 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
7 scenes / 5 dialogue linesRon Motley is listed as Attorney. A powerful and aggressive litigator. In the parsed data, Ron Motley is connected to 6 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
6 scenes / 8 dialogue linesHelen Caperelli is listed as CBS General Counsel. Polished, corporate-minded, and focused on legal liability. In the parsed data, Helen Caperelli is connected to 3 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 52.
3 scenes / 10 dialogue linesEric Kluster is listed as President of CBS News. A corporate executive prioritizing network interests. In the parsed data, Eric Kluster is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 52.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesThomas Sandefur is listed as CEO of Brown & Williamson. A charismatic, salesman-like executive with a ruthless streak. In the parsed data, Thomas Sandefur is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesLowell Bergman and his cameraman Norman are being transported in a convoy through Lebanon to meet with a Hezbollah leader.
Lowell BergmanThe convoy arrives at a village and Lowell is taken to a house.
Lowell BergmanLowell interviews the Sheikh Fadlallah, convincing him to agree to an interview with Mike Wallace.
Lowell BergmanJeffrey Wigand watches his colleagues celebrating a birthday from his office.
Jeffrey WigandJeffrey returns home to his family and deals with his daughter's asthma attack.
Jeffrey Wigand, Liane WigandJeffrey reveals to Liane that he has been fired.
Jeffrey Wigand, Liane WigandMike Wallace conducts a tense interview with the Sheikh.
Lowell Bergman, Mike WallaceLowell receives anonymous documents and begins investigating.
Lowell BergmanLowell meets Jeffrey Wigand to discuss the documents.
Lowell Bergman, Jeffrey WigandDon Hewitt and Mike Wallace discuss a recent broadcast while Lowell Bergman coordinates with his editor.
Lowell Bergman, Mike Wallace, Don HewittLowell, Wallace, Hewitt, and Debbie exit CBS and encounter Bill Felling.
Lowell Bergman, Mike Wallace, Don HewittJeffrey Wigand meets with CEO Thomas Sandefur and lawyers to discuss a new confidentiality agreement.
Jeffrey Wigand, Thomas SandefurJeffrey Wigand is intimidated by a mysterious man at a driving range.
Jeffrey WigandLowell Bergman arrives at the Wigand house to clear up misunderstandings.
Lowell Bergman, Jeffrey Wigand, Liane WigandJeffrey retrieves a gun from his safe and instructs Barbara to stay in the basement while he investigates a noise.
Jeffrey Wigand, Liane WigandJeffrey investigates the backyard and discovers a raccoon and fresh footprints.
Jeffrey Wigand, Liane WigandJeffrey calls Lowell late at night to discuss his paranoia and the feeling of being followed.
Lowell Bergman, Jeffrey WigandLowell and Jeffrey meet to discuss the potential of Jeffrey going public on 60 Minutes.
Lowell Bergman, Jeffrey WigandLowell works on a segment while coordinating with attorneys Scruggs and Motley.
Lowell Bergman, Richard Scruggs, Ron MotleyLiane discovers a death threat email on Jeffrey's computer.
Liane WigandJeffrey finds a bullet in his mailbox.
Jeffrey Wigand, Liane WigandFBI agents arrive to investigate the threats and seize Jeffrey's computer.
Jeffrey Wigand, Liane WigandLowell and Mike Wallace dine with Jeffrey and Liane, leading to Liane's distress.
Lowell Bergman, Jeffrey Wigand, Mike Wallace, Liane WigandJeffrey gives a formal interview to Mike Wallace.
Lowell Bergman, Jeffrey Wigand, Mike WallaceJeffrey Wigand explains to Mike Wallace why he was fired by Brown & Williamson after raising concerns about coumarin.
Jeffrey Wigand, Mike WallaceJeffrey Wigand begins his first day teaching chemistry to high school students.
Jeffrey WigandScruggs receives a call while in his office.
Richard ScruggsWigand calls Scruggs from a pay phone.
Jeffrey Wigand, Richard ScruggsScruggs invites Wigand to discuss the lawsuit.
Richard Scruggs, Jeffrey WigandWigand arrives home to find security guards present.
Jeffrey Wigand, Lowell Bergman, Liane WigandLowell explains the security detail to Wigand.
Jeffrey Wigand, Lowell Bergman, Liane WigandTension between Jeffrey and Liane over the security presence.
Jeffrey Wigand, Liane WigandA security guard keeps watch outside the house.
Liane expresses her inability to continue with the situation.
Jeffrey Wigand, Liane WigandWigand is served with subpoenas at the airport.
Jeffrey WigandWigand meets with Scruggs and Motley to discuss the gag order.
Jeffrey Wigand, Richard Scruggs, Ron MotleyWigand and Lowell discuss the situation on the lawn.
Jeffrey Wigand, Lowell Bergman, Richard Scruggs, Ron MotleyMedia and lawyers gather for the deposition.
Ron MotleyTobacco lawyers wait for the deposition to begin.
Ron Motley, Jeffrey WigandWigand decides to proceed with the deposition.
Jeffrey Wigand, Lowell Bergman, Richard ScruggsWigand travels to the courthouse.
Jeffrey Wigand, Richard ScruggsWigand arrives at the courthouse amidst media attention.
Jeffrey Wigand, Richard ScruggsWigand is sworn in and begins his deposition.
Jeffrey Wigand, Ron MotleyLowell waits outside the courtroom.
Lowell BergmanWigand and Lowell share a moment of accomplishment.
Lowell Bergman, Jeffrey WigandLowell edits the 60 Minutes segment.
Lowell BergmanColleagues watch the edit; Mike Wallace and Don Hewitt arrive.
Lowell Bergman, Mike Wallace, Don HewittWigand returns home.
Jeffrey WigandWigand is nervous on the way home.
Jeffrey WigandWigand arrives home to find it empty.
Jeffrey WigandWigand finds a note from his family.
Jeffrey WigandHelen Caperelli and Eric Kluster discuss legal risks with the 60 Minutes team.
Mike Wallace, Lowell Bergman, Don Hewitt, Helen Caperelli, Eric KlusterEric Kluster informs the team that CBS will produce an alternate version of the Wigand interview without his testimony. Lowell confronts them with evidence of a conflict of interest regarding the CBS-Westinghouse sale.
Lowell Bergman, Mike Wallace, Don Hewitt, Eric KlusterLowell tells his wife Sharon that the Wigand interview is being killed.
Lowell BergmanLowell speaks to Wigand, who reveals his wife has filed for divorce and he is living in a hotel.
Lowell Bergman, Jeffrey WigandJohn Scanlon and his staff review a smear campaign against Wigand.
Don Hewitt confronts Lowell about his next steps and shows him the dossier being prepared against Wigand.
Lowell Bergman, Don HewittLowell calls Wigand to warn him about the smear campaign and the specific accusations being dug up.
Lowell Bergman, Jeffrey WigandLowell calls Charlie Phillips at the Wall Street Journal to discuss the Wigand story.
Lowell BergmanLowell meets Charlie Phillips to try and delay the Journal's story.
Lowell BergmanLowell edits the show while Hewitt confronts him about his public statements.
Lowell Bergman, Don HewittMike Wallace discovers his segment has been edited by Kluster and confronts him.
Mike Wallace, Helen Caperelli, Eric KlusterJeffrey watches the 60 Minutes broadcast about the tobacco industry and his own situation.
Jeffrey Wigand, Mike WallaceMike Wallace watches his own broadcast and expresses dissatisfaction.
Mike WallaceLowell and Mike Wallace discuss the broadcast over the phone.
Lowell Bergman, Mike WallaceLowell calls Jeffrey's hotel room to check on him.
Lowell Bergman, Jeffrey Wigand, Helen CaperelliMike Wallace visits Lowell to discuss the fallout of the story.
Lowell Bergman, Mike WallaceLowell watches the 60 Minutes segment about Jeffrey Wigand on a television in an airport lounge.
Lowell BergmanSharon watches the 60 Minutes show featuring Jeffrey Wigand.
Mike Wallace watches the broadcast and sees his interview with Wigand.
Mike Wallace, Jeffrey WigandFBI Agent Bill Robertson makes a phone call regarding the Unabomber case.
Lowell receives a call from Bill Robertson and discusses the outcome with Sharon.
Lowell BergmanLowell enters the control room during the breaking news of the Unabomber's arrest.
Lowell Bergman, Mike WallaceLowell tells Mike Wallace that he is quitting CBS.
Lowell Bergman, Mike WallaceIn the Navy I flew A-6's off carriers... In combat, events have a duration of seconds, sometimes minutes... But what you're going through goes on day in and day out. Whether you're ready for it or not, week in, week out... Month after month after month. Whether you're up or whether you're down. You're assaulted psychologically. You're assaulted financially, which is its own special kind of violence. Because it's directed at your kids...what school can you afford... How will that affect their lives. You're asking yourself: Will that limit what they may become? You feel your whole family's future's compromised...held hostage... I do know how it is.
Oh, you got rights and lefts! Ups and downs and middles! So what?! You don't get to instruct anything around here! This is not North Carolina, not South Carolina nor Kentucky. This is the sovereign State of Mississippi's proceeding. Wipe that smirk off your face! Dr. Wigand's deposition will be part of this record. And I'm going to take my witness' testimony! Whether the hell you like it or not!
Alright, I thought we'd get together because there's a legal concept that has been getting some new attention recently, "tortious interference." If two people have an agreement, like a confidentiality agreement, and one of them breaks it because they are induced to do so by a 3rd party, the 3rd party can be sued for damages for interfering...hence, "tortious interference."
The process is known as 'impact boosting...' While not spiking nicotine, they clearly manipulate it. There's extensive use of this technology, know as 'ammonia chemistry.' It allows for the nicotine to be more rapidly absorbed in the lung and therefore affect the brain and central nervous system.
Reporting from CBS World News headquarters in New York, good afternoon. There has been a major break in the case of the so-called 'Unabomber.' CBS News has learned that a remote homesite outside Lincoln, Montana has been under FBI surveillance...
I think what we're trying to tell you is that it happens all the time. This is a news organization. People are always telling us things they shouldn't. We have to verify if it's true and in the public interest... And if it is, we air it.
My name is Jeff Wigand. You can call me Mr. Wigand; you can call me Dr. Wigand--I have a Ph.D. in biochemistry and endocrinology; you can call me Jeff... Anything else you want to call me...you'll have to do so in private...
I promised you a three-hour heads-up...well, here it is. Have a camera crew standing by in Helena, Montana on Tuesday and I'll give you a three-hour head start. Alright? By the way, that was a hell of a good show tonight...
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