---
title: "Friendly Fire"
year: 1980
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/friendly-fire-1980"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 263086
imdb_id: "tt0079177"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 147
community_rating: 7.0
vote_count: 3
content_rating: "NR"
---

# Friendly Fire (1980) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/friendly-fire-1980

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Friendly Fire is an American television movie first broadcast on the ABC network on April 22, 1979, and is categorized under drama, war, and TV movie genres with a runtime of two hours and twenty-seven minutes. The film follows Peg and Gene Mullen on their Iowa farm as they receive news in March 1970 that their son Michael was killed in Vietnam by friendly fire, detailing their determined attempts to learn the circumstances of his death.

The film holds notable cultural significance, having been watched by an estimated 64 million people on the night of its initial broadcast and winning four Emmy awards, including Outstanding Drama Special. Directed by David Greene and starring Carol Burnett, Ned Beatty, and Dennis Erdman, the production presents a true account focused on the emotional and investigative journey of a family searching for the truth.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "Parents seek the truth about their son's death in Vietnam by friendly fire."

### Why Watch
- It is based on a true account of parents seeking answers from the U.S. Army.
- It won four Emmy awards, including Outstanding Drama Special.
- It was watched by an estimated 64 million people on the night it was first broadcast.

### Caveats & Content Note
- It has a runtime of two hours and twenty-seven minutes.
- Tone & Suitability: It is a drama and war television movie with a historical subject matter and a runtime of two hours and twenty-seven minutes.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: #true-account, #drama, #war, #investigation, #family-grief, #historical

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel | Fawesome | Amazon Video, YouTube |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | None | None | YouTube |
| **Canada (CA)** | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | Tubi TV | YouTube |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: David Greene
- **Networks / Studios**: Marble Arch Productions, ABC

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Carol Burnett** as *Peg Mullen*
- **Ned Beatty** as *Gene Mullen*
- **Dennis Erdman** as *Michael E. Mullen*
- **Sherry Hursey** as *Patricia Mullen*
- **Timothy Hutton** as *John Mullen*
- **Fanny Spiess** as *Mary Mullen*
- **Steve Bonino** as *Cactus*
- **Henry Brown**
- **Cosie Costa**
- **Hilly Hicks** as *Willis Huddleston*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Where to stream Friendly Fire?
Streaming availability is not specified in the provided sources.

### Q: Whether it is worth watching?
It won four Emmy awards, including Outstanding Drama Special, and was watched by an estimated 64 million people when first broadcast.

### Q: What is the runtime or duration?
The film has a runtime of two hours and twenty-seven minutes.

### Q: How many episodes are there?
Friendly Fire is a television movie rather than a series with multiple episodes.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Friendly Fire — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/263086)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*