# Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

> 2004 American comedy film directed by Adam McKay

**Wikidata**: [Q467076](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q467076)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchorman:_The_Legend_of_Ron_Burgundy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/anchorman-the-legend-of-ron-burgundy

## Summary
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Adam McKay. It stars Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy, a 1970s San Diego news anchor navigating changes in the male-dominated broadcasting world.

## Key Facts
- Release date: June 28, 2004 (US premiere), November 4, 2004 (wider release)
- Director: Adam McKay
- Genre: Comedy
- Country of origin: United States
- Production company: Apatow Productions
- IMDb ID: tt0357413
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 40
- Wikidata description: "2004 American comedy film directed by Adam McKay"
- Part of series: Anchorman film series
- Followed by: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
- Box office gross: $90.6 million worldwide
- Runtime: 94 minutes
- Rated PG-13 for crude sexual content, drug use, language, and comic violence

## FAQs
**Who stars in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy?**
The film stars Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy, Christina Applegate as Veronica Corningstone, Paul Rudd as Brian Fantana, Steve Carell as Brick Tamland, David Koechner as Champ Kind, and Fred Willard as Ed Harken.

**What is the plot of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy?**
Set in 1970s San Diego, the film follows Ron Burgundy, a top-rated news anchor whose male-dominated world is disrupted when the station hires its first female reporter, Veronica Corningstone, leading to professional rivalry and romantic complications.

**Who directed Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy?**
The film was directed by Adam McKay, who co-wrote the screenplay with Will Ferrell. McKay is known for his collaborations with Ferrell on other comedies like Talladega Nights and Step Brothers.

**What production company made Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy?**
The film was produced by Apatow Productions, founded by Judd Apatow, and DreamWorks Pictures. Apatow Productions has produced numerous successful comedy films.

**Is Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy part of a series?**
Yes, it is the first film in the Anchorman series, followed by Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues in 2013. The series follows the adventures of Ron Burgundy and his news team.

## Why It Matters
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy matters as a defining comedy of the 2000s that helped establish the comedic style of Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay. The film's absurdist humor, memorable quotes, and improvisational approach influenced a generation of comedies. It launched a successful franchise and cemented Ferrell's status as a comedy star. The film's satirical take on 1970s news culture and gender dynamics in the workplace resonated with audiences, while its quotable lines and characters became cultural touchstones. Its success demonstrated the commercial viability of R-rated comedies with ensemble casts and helped pave the way for similar films in the following decade.

## Notable For
- Launching the Anchorman film franchise
- Establishing Will Ferrell as a leading comedy star
- Featuring an ensemble cast including future comedy stars Steve Carell and Paul Rudd
- Creating numerous quotable lines that entered popular culture
- Satirical portrayal of 1970s news broadcasting and workplace gender dynamics
- Successful blend of scripted and improvised comedy
- Box office success that exceeded expectations for an R-rated comedy
- Influence on subsequent comedy films and television shows
- Memorable cameos by Ben Stiller, Tim Robbins, Luke Wilson, and Vince Vaughn
- Soundtrack featuring 1970s music that enhanced the period setting

## Body

### Production and Development
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy was directed by Adam McKay in his feature film directorial debut, working from a screenplay he co-wrote with star Will Ferrell. The film was produced by Apatow Productions, founded by Judd Apatow, and distributed by DreamWorks Pictures. Production began in 2003 with filming taking place in Los Angeles, California, to capture the 1970s San Diego setting. The budget was approximately $26 million, modest for a studio comedy at the time.

### Cast and Characters
The film features Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy, the arrogant yet lovable lead anchor. Christina Applegate plays Veronica Corningstone, the ambitious female reporter who challenges the male-dominated newsroom. Paul Rudd portrays Brian Fantana, the suave investigative reporter. Steve Carell plays Brick Tamland, the dim-witted weatherman whose performance helped launch his career. David Koechner is Champ Kind, the sports reporter with hidden feelings for Ron. Fred Willard plays the station manager Ed Harken. The supporting cast includes Chris Parnell, Kathryn Hahn, and Danny Trejo.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
Upon release, Anchorman became a surprise hit, grossing over $90 million worldwide against its $26 million budget. The film's success was driven by word-of-mouth and repeated viewings, particularly among younger audiences who embraced its quotable dialogue. Lines like "Stay classy, San Diego" and "I love lamp" entered the cultural lexicon. The film's improvisational style, with actors encouraged to riff on scenes, became influential in comedy filmmaking. It spawned merchandise, video games, and a dedicated fan base that continues to quote and reference the film years after its release.

### Critical Reception and Awards
Critics gave Anchorman mixed to positive reviews upon release, with many praising the ensemble cast's chemistry and the film's commitment to absurdity. While not a major awards contender, the film has since been recognized as a comedy classic. It received nominations from various comedy award organizations and has been included in numerous "best comedy films" lists by publications like Rolling Stone and Empire magazine.

### Music and Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack features period-appropriate music from the 1970s, including tracks by Bill Withers, Hall & Oates, and Kenny Loggins. The music plays a crucial role in establishing the film's setting and tone, with Ron Burgundy's jazz flute playing becoming one of the character's defining traits. The soundtrack album was released by DreamWorks Records and helped reinforce the film's nostalgic appeal.

### Filming Locations and Production Design
Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, with locations chosen to evoke 1970s San Diego. The production design team meticulously recreated the period through costumes, set decoration, and props. The Channel 4 news studio set became iconic, with its mustard-yellow color scheme and vintage broadcasting equipment. The film's visual style, with its warm color palette and period-appropriate cinematography, contributed significantly to its nostalgic appeal.

### Box Office Performance
Anchorman opened in theaters on July 9, 2004, in 2,555 locations, grossing $28.4 million in its opening weekend. It went on to earn $85 million in the United States and $5.6 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $90.6 million. The film's strong performance was particularly notable for an R-rated comedy, demonstrating the commercial potential of adult-oriented humor.

### Related Projects and Spin-offs
The success of Anchorman led to a sequel, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, released in 2013. The sequel reunited the original cast and expanded the story to the 1980s cable news era. Additionally, the characters have appeared in commercials, promotional events, and even a temporary exhibit at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The film's popularity has also inspired fan conventions and themed events.

### Influence on Comedy Genre
Anchorman helped establish a template for ensemble comedies that combined scripted material with improvisation. Its success influenced subsequent comedies like The Hangover, Bridesmaids, and other Apatow Productions films. The film demonstrated that comedies could achieve both critical and commercial success while maintaining a distinctive comedic voice and style. Its influence can be seen in television comedies as well, particularly those that embrace absurdist humor and ensemble casts.

### Distribution and Home Media
The film was released on DVD and VHS on December 14, 2004, and later on Blu-ray. Home media sales were strong, with the DVD becoming one of the best-selling comedy titles of its year. The film's popularity on home video and cable television helped cement its status as a cult classic, with many viewers discovering it through repeated airings on networks like Comedy Central.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film933663.html)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/legenda-telewizji)
3. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229340/)
4. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/anchorman-legend-ron-burgundy-2004)
5. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-52861/)
6. [Source](http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_14879_O.Ancora.A.Lenda.de.Ron.Burgundy-(Anchorman.The.Legend.of.Ron.Burgundy).html)
7. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=52861.html)
8. [Source](http://www.ew.com/article/2004/07/07/anchorman-legend-ron-burgundy)
9. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/anchorman-the-legend-of-ron-burgundy)
10. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0357413/fullcredits)
11. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
12. The Movie Database
13. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Rotten Tomatoes
14. Freebase Data Dumps
15. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0357413/releaseinfo)
16. [Search Results](https://www.filmratings.com/search-results/?search=&cn=40782)
17. [Debra McGuire - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0570186/#credits)
18. [Clayton Hartley - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0366812/#credits)
19. Kinopoisk
20. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/anchorman-ron-burgundy-the-legend-of/)
21. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
22. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
23. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/111345)
24. Cineplex
25. Bechdel Test Movie List
26. mymovies.it
27. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/44FB-F3D0-3173-422B-16BF-C)
28. Danish Film Database
29. Kanopy
30. TheTVDB
31. Trakt.tv
32. FilmVandaag.nl