network - sidney lumet

"Network". If there was ever a film that foreshadowed to events of the future it would be "Network". Much like "Midnight Cowboy" seven years earlier, "Network" was hailed because it took risks and it was like nothing that the cinema had ever experienced before. Both films were great when they were initially released, but few great films become so much better with time like "Midnight Cowboy" and "Network". The fictional fourth network of 1976 is UBS. Ratings are bad and the network desperately needs some new show to give them a boost to challenge NBC, CBS, and ABC. Enter the network's national news anchorman (Peter Finch in his posthumous Oscar-winning role). He, like the network, is going through a crossroads. His wife has just passed away, he is about to be fired, and he is slowly losing his mind. The firing is imminent and he decides that he will announce to the world that he will commit suicide on his last evening news broadcast. Of course a national frenzy starts, but Finch surprises all by showing just how crazy he is. Instead of committing suicide, he goes on the air and becomes a modern-day Moses to some with crazed ravings and outlandish statements that really are just the ramblings of a man slowly spinning out-of-control. Faye Dunaway (Oscar-winning) and Robert Duvall are the key people at the network who find a way to market Finch and boost anemic ratings. Finch is given a variety show which could be best described as "The Tonight Show" gone stark-raving mad. He gets on stage and basically says whatever is on his mind and the crowds love it. Co-worker and close personal friend William Holden (Oscar-nominated) knows that Finch is out of control, but cannot do anything and eventually is let go due to his disapproval and interference. Holden though has fallen in love, or lust, with the unfeeling Dunaway. Wife Beatrice Straight (in an Oscar-winning performance in which she has less than 10 minutes of screen-time) learns of what is going on and more trouble ensues for Holden on the home-front. Finch meanwhile continues his ravings as he hears voices in his head telling him what he must do each time he is asked to perform. Soon his act grows stale as the public tires of his antics and the network must always defend speeches that they themselves do not really understand. Finch's "15 minutes" of fame eventually come to an end, but not in the conventional way that one may think. "Network" is a cinematic masterpiece because it is so strong in the major elements of the industry. The acting is exceptional. There were five performing nominations from this film (Ned Beatty was the fifth) and three wins. The only other film to accomplish that was "A Streetcar Named Desire" from 1951. Sidney Lumet was great before this film, but he became even greater afterwards. This is arguably his greatest directing job. The screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky is one of the smartest ever written. It is insightful and has a real depth to it. "Network" was looked upon as a sort of "far-fetched black comedy" in 1976. However, "Network" is a film that is all too realistic 25 years later. In many ways the fictional UBS station is much like the FOX station which came on the air in the late-1980s and stole audiences with wild shows that were quite different from the other three networks. Reality television, perverted talk shows, and other types of variety programming run wild today. "Network" did not have much to do with all this occurring, but it is like those who worked on the film had a crystal ball into the future. A great movie that becomes greater as time passes. 5 stars out of 5. Faye Dunaway .... Diana Christensen William Holden .... Max Schumacher Peter Finch .... Howard Beale Robert Duvall .... Frank Hackett Wesley Addy .... Nelson Chaney Ned Beatty .... Arthur Jensen Arthur Burghardt .... Great Ahmed Kahn Bill Burrows .... TV Director John Carpenter .... George Bosch Jordan Charney .... Harry Hunter Kathy Cronkite .... Mary Ann Gifford Ed Crowley .... Joe Donnelly Jerome Dempsey .... Walter C. Amundsen Conchata Ferrell .... Barbara Schlesinger Gene Gross .... Milton K. Steinman

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charonB (2007-08-17)

Thanks very much!
Just saw "Zeitgeist" (2007). There were some fine clips from this movie. ;)

magnus3994 (2007-10-13)

yea me 2, just saw zeitgeist

Luxifer (2007-11-09)

Of course, Zeitgeist was where I first heard of this movie. The scenes taken from Network are just great samples, so I had to see if the rest of the movie was just as important. I must say, it is. Great movie, worth watching and spreading to all your friends and family.
I will continue to seed this for some time.

ChrisSkills (2008-01-14)

Like ya'll stated before me, Zeitgeist got me looking for this movie (which by the way was one of the more eyeopening documentaries I've seen). Powerful stuff indeed.
The second part had little new substance, but the first and the third... you just got blown away by the mere thought of it all.

dragon_slayer (2008-01-22)

Found this trough "Zeitgeist" movie. This movie is fresh if you know how the world works. Might be pointless if you don't. Its about a news anchorman that gets tierd of all bullshit and starts speaking his mind on live tv.

NobleBear (2008-02-01)

Ha! That's hilarious, I also found this film thru Zeitgeist. Z is having quite an impact, eh?

rinufe (2008-02-03)

What is the resolution of that video?

DeadGame (2008-02-13)

Network (1976)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074958/
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Plot Outline: A TV network cynically exploits a deranged ex-TV anchor's ravings and revelations about the media for their own profit.

summd15 (2008-03-06)

Yea, I found this through Zeitgeist as well.

eddielagato (2008-03-16)

Zeitgeist here as well, hmmm... do I sense a pattern?

dealornodeal (2008-03-27)

Go and see the music video with this movie on youtube made by Hypnoticcus .It is combination of this movie and the simpsons.

Donate (2008-03-28)

Did _not_ found through zeitgeist. Zeitgeist seems, from what I read various places on the internet, like a retarded movie. Entertaining, but retarded. Hmm, maybe I should watch it...

tolzkutz (2008-03-31)

yet another I-have-seen-it-on-Zeitgeist here :)

eggontoastman (2008-04-14)

Yep Zeitgeist got me here too!
If you haven't seen Zeitgeist yet... what you waiting for?

macgabriel87 (2008-05-15)

After watching Zeitgeist, the scenes from this movie kept coming back to me. Thankfully the movie placed the source right next to the scene so I can easily find it!
iTunes does not have this movie unfortunately, so I'm here hoping people are still seeding! :)

eikon805 (2008-05-28)

thanks for the UL, i just caught the end on TV and had to watch the whole thing again.
this is one of those rare prophetic films, more relevant today than when it was made, over 30 years ago.
I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANT MORE.
(now i'v gotta check out this 'Zeitgeist' thing)

eikon805 (2008-05-28)

nevermind checking out 'Zeitgeist' turns out, it's just more ahtheist garbage.

mordikia (2008-06-04)

in b4 Zietgiest, heard about this from my uncle first, watched zietgiest, piled on more evidence on why i should watch this film.

Gz4Galvanize (2008-06-08)

Zeitgeist brought me here too... kind of crazy to find so many other people on the same page

sweaterpuppies1 (2008-06-10)

Indeed I saw the clips from Zeitgeist, however that movie was essentially conspiracy drivel filled with anti-corporate sentiments.
I'm hoping this movie will be much better.

Vitalise (2008-07-23)

Holy shit, I saw Zeitgeist a couple of days ago, and searched for this because the "WE'RE IN A LOTTA TROUBLE!" speech is still stuck in my head, fucking epic!
Can't wait for this to finish downloading! :D

ejputz (2008-07-25)

Ahem... About Zeitgeist...

raheesen (2008-08-19)

great movie...excellent quality...great movie

davevan (2008-08-31)

zeitgeist brought me to this movie too.
and there are traces of the mad as hell scene in ren and stimpy also. probably the best cartoon ever created.

davevan (2008-08-31)

1:25:20 through 1:25:30. in zeitgeist
its not how much money is in circulation that gives money its value, its the fucking people. its just a piece of paper, get over it.
money is like sex or drugs. one taste and your hooked. dont give in.

stormseeker77 (2008-09-13)

My history teacher showed us this film like 10 years ago. Good teacher, awesome film.

thuerrsch (2008-12-27)

I must second deepthoughtdevil, the video and audio quality is indeed lousy.

Alecssei (2009-09-04)

Great movie in a great quality! By God, Peter Finch deserved that Oscar!!!
10/10