1987
Bud Fox, an ambitious young stockbroker, desperately seeks to work for the ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko, eventually impressing him with insider information about Bluestar Airlines, where Bud's father, Carl, works. Gekko takes Bud under his wing, teaching him the art of hostile takeovers and insider trading, which leads to Bud's rapid rise in wealth and status, including a luxurious apartment and a relationship with interior decorator Darien Taylor. Bud proposes a plan for Gekko to acquire Bluestar Airlines, believing Gekko will revitalize the company, but Gekko instead plans to liquidate it, prompting Bud to realize Gekko's true, destructive intentions. After his father suffers a heart attack due to the stress of Bluestar's impending liquidation, Bud orchestrates a counter-plan with rival corporate raider Sir Lawrence Wildman to save the airline and expose Gekko's illegal activities. Bud successfully manipulates the stock market, causing Gekko to lose millions and allowing Wildman to acquire Bluestar, but Bud is subsequently arrested for insider trading and, after secretly recording Gekko, provides evidence against his former mentor before heading to prison.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Bud Fox, an ambitious young trader, navigates the ruthless world of Wall Street, landing a coveted mentor in Gordon Gekko.
Open full beat sheetBUD FOX is listed as Stockbroker. Young, ambitious, and initially naive stockbroker working at Jackson, Steinem. In the parsed data, BUD FOX is connected to 66 scenes, 26 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
66 scenes / 26 dialogue linesGORDON GEKKO is listed as Multimillionaire trader and raider. Ruthless, charismatic, and hyper-focused corporate raider. In the parsed data, GORDON GEKKO is connected to 26 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
26 scenes / 19 dialogue linesDARIEN TAYLOR is listed as Interior decorator. Sophisticated, ambitious, and connected to Gekko's circle. In the parsed data, DARIEN TAYLOR is connected to 14 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 40.
14 scenes / 11 dialogue linesMARVIN is listed as Stockbroker. Bud's associate, a manicky wise-guy. In the parsed data, MARVIN is connected to 9 scenes, first appearing around scene 6.
9 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCARL FOX is listed as Bluestar Airlines mechanic. Bud's father, a union representative, values hard work and integrity. In the parsed data, CARL FOX is connected to 6 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
6 scenes / 2 dialogue linesHIERONYMUS LYNCH is listed as Office Manager. Worried, demanding manager at Jackson, Steinem. In the parsed data, HIERONYMUS LYNCH is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 6.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesSIR LAWRENCE WILDMAN is listed as Corporate raider. A wealthy, authoritative British raider and Gekko's rival. In the parsed data, SIR LAWRENCE WILDMAN is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 26.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesNATALIE is listed as Personal Secretary. Gordon Gekko's classy, efficient English secretary. In the parsed data, NATALIE is connected to 5 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 8.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLOU MANNHEIM is listed as Senior broker. Dignified, older broker who values fundamentals over quick profits. In the parsed data, LOU MANNHEIM is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 37.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesThe morning rush hour in Wall Street.
Bud Fox exits a crowded subway train.
BUD FOXBud Fox walks through the crowd reading the Wall Street Journal.
BUD FOXBud enters the lobby and gets into an elevator.
BUD FOXBud and other commuters ride the elevator in silence, lost in their own thoughts.
BUD FOXBud arrives at work and interacts with colleagues before the market opens.
BUD FOX, LOU MANNHEIM, MARVIN, HIERONYMUS LYNCHBud deals with a difficult client and Lynch reprimands him.
BUD FOX, MARVIN, HIERONYMUS LYNCHNatalie takes a call from Bud while Gekko is busy.
GORDON GEKKO, NATALIEBud meets his father, Carl, at a bar.
BUD FOX, CARL FOXBud prepares for the next day.
BUD FOXBud arrives at Gekko's office.
BUD FOXBud attempts to see Gekko.
BUD FOX, NATALIEBud finally meets Gekko and pitches him.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOBud receives a call from Gekko.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKO, MARVIN, HIERONYMUS LYNCHBud walks through the city feeling successful.
BUD FOXBud attempts to pick up an elegant blonde at a singles bar but is rejected when she leaves with another man.
BUD FOXBud fails to get into a club while Gordon Gekko enters easily.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOBud discovers good news about Bluestar Airlines.
BUD FOXBud celebrates his success with Gekko's account and receives a call from Gekko.
BUD FOX, LOU MANNHEIM, MARVIN, HIERONYMUS LYNCHBud has lunch with Gekko, who gives him a check to invest.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOLisa arrives at Bud's apartment to take him out.
BUD FOX, DARIEN TAYLORBud and Lisa have a sexual encounter in the limo.
BUD FOX, DARIEN TAYLORGekko plays squash with Bud and gives him advice.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOGekko and Bud discuss business and Bud's father.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOGekko tells Bud to get him information.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOGekko instructs Bud to follow Sir Lawrence Wildman.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKO, SIR LAWRENCE WILDMANBud agrees to Gekko's plan.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOBud discovers Wildman is going to Erie, Pennsylvania.
BUD FOX, SIR LAWRENCE WILDMANBud visits his father and gives him money.
BUD FOX, CARL FOXBud arrives at Gekko's beach house to get documents signed and is reluctantly invited to join the party.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKO, DARIEN TAYLOR, NATALIEBud mingles with Gekko's guests and overhears conversations while Gekko takes a call from Wildman.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKO, DARIEN TAYLOR, SIR LAWRENCE WILDMANGekko and Wildman negotiate the Teldar Paper deal with Bud observing.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKO, SIR LAWRENCE WILDMANGekko calls Bud at dawn to discuss the market and his future.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOBud attempts to get inside information from his lawyer friend Roger.
BUD FOXBud reports information to Gekko.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOGekko delivers his 'Greed is Good' speech at the Teldar Paper stockholders' meeting.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOBud is promoted and receives his own office.
BUD FOX, LOU MANNHEIM, MARVIN, HIERONYMUS LYNCHBud tours a luxury apartment with Sylvie Drimmer and decides to make an offer.
BUD FOXA montage showing the interior decoration of Bud's new condo by Darien.
BUD FOX, DARIEN TAYLORBud and Darien discuss the apartment and their relationship.
BUD FOX, DARIEN TAYLORBud and Darien make love.
BUD FOX, DARIEN TAYLORBud reflects on his life and success while looking over the city.
BUD FOXBud makes calls to set up stock trades.
BUD FOXBud handles trades while Marv tries to interrupt.
BUD FOX, MARVINBud pitches the Bluestar Airlines deal to Gekko.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOA meeting between Gekko, Bud, and the union leaders.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKO, CARL FOX, DARIEN TAYLORBud and Carl argue about Gekko's intentions.
BUD FOX, CARL FOXBud receives a panicked call from Dixon regarding the SEC.
BUD FOX, MARVINBud and Roger discuss the SEC investigation.
BUD FOXBud realizes Gekko's true plan for Bluestar.
BUD FOXBud confronts Gekko about the liquidation plan.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOGekko manipulates Bud into continuing their partnership, while secretly ordering a crackdown on information regarding Bluestar.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKO, NATALIEBud leaves Gekko's office.
BUD FOXDarien arrives at Bud's condo.
DARIEN TAYLORBud and Darien have a confrontation about Gekko and the future.
BUD FOX, DARIEN TAYLORDarien leaves the building.
DARIEN TAYLORBud decides to sell his condo.
BUD FOXBud learns of his father's heart attack.
BUD FOXBud drives to the hospital.
BUD FOXBud visits his father in the hospital.
BUD FOX, CARL FOXGekko buys a painting at an auction.
GORDON GEKKO, DARIEN TAYLORDarien confronts Gekko.
GORDON GEKKO, DARIEN TAYLORBud meets with union reps.
BUD FOXBud and union reps meet Wildman.
BUD FOX, SIR LAWRENCE WILDMANBud rallies his colleagues to buy Bluestar.
BUD FOX, LOU MANNHEIM, MARVINBud leaks information.
BUD FOXThe news of Bluestar breaks.
Bluestar stock price rises.
Gekko reacts to the stock movement.
GORDON GEKKO, NATALIEBud orders his team to sell.
BUD FOX, MARVINWildman prepares to buy Bluestar.
SIR LAWRENCE WILDMANGekko realizes he is losing.
GORDON GEKKOGekko watches the news of his defeat.
GORDON GEKKOBud is arrested.
BUD FOX, HIERONYMUS LYNCHGekko confronts Bud.
BUD FOX, GORDON GEKKOBud reveals he was wearing a wire.
BUD FOXBud prepares for his sentencing.
BUD FOX, CARL FOXBud meets Darien before turning himself in.
BUD FOX, DARIEN TAYLORThe richest one percent of this country owns half the country's wealth: 5 trillion dollars. One third of that comes from hard work, two thirds of it comes from inheritance, interest on interest accumulation to widows and idiot sons and what I do -- stock and real estate speculation. It's bullshit. Ninety percent of the American people have little or no net worth. I create nothing; I own. We make the rules, Buddy, the news, war, peace, famine, upheaval; the cost of a paper clip. We pull the rabbit out of the hat while everybody else sits around their whole life wondering how we did it... you're not naive enough to think we're living in a democracy are you, Buddy? It's the free market. You're one of us now...take advantage of it. You got the killer instinct, kid, stick with me. I got things to teach you...
...sorry, what a fox... funny, the most beautiful girls in the world are always on the street or in elevators, never get to talk to them, shy ... my looks, never had confidence in them ... overcompensating work syndrome... prove your worth with money... 'cept I'm not making any money... wonder what all these people are thinking about.
Attention. Please. Office Production is down ten percent this week. I recommend that you all go through your clients' investments for any portfolio adjustments. And don't forget -- double commissions today on our 'A' or better bond funds. Especially you rookies. Also, remember, the sales contest ends tomorrow.
Fair enough...but it's not that simple, Bud. When I was down and had nothing, it was Gordon who helped me. He got me all my clients -- you among them... and he can take it away like that. You may find out one day -- that when you've had money and lost it, it's worse than never having had it at all.
Damn right, it gets us out from under suspension. We'll get those new routes to Pittsburgh and Boston and the equipment we need. We're gonna compete with the big boys now.
Believe me, Buddy, I was gonna discuss this with you at the right time. Look, why don't you calm down and come to the apartment for dinner tonight. Bring Darien...
Gordon what I want--and I never asked you for anything--is to be your co-pilot on this. I want to take this airline, turn it around, and make it work.
Talk about being bent over the sink of life and being dry humped. I handed it to him on a silver platter. I told my father and those people...
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