Network

Name: Network
Genre: Drama
Released: November 14, 1976
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 83
Cast: Faye Dunaway, Peter Finch, William Holden

1976

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Universal acclaim based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 76 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 76 Ratings

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Network

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Movie Details & Credits

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: November 14, 1976 | R

Starring: Faye Dunaway, Peter Finch, William Holden

Summary: A devastating commentary on a world of ratings-driving commercial TV that is getting more on target every day, Network introduces us to Howard Beale (Finch), dean of newscasters at the United Broadcasting Systems (UBS). Having heard that he will soon be dumped by the UBS for "skewing too old," Beal announces to his viewers that he willA devastating commentary on a world of ratings-driving commercial TV that is getting more on target every day, Network introduces us to Howard Beale (Finch), dean of newscasters at the United Broadcasting Systems (UBS). Having heard that he will soon be dumped by the UBS for "skewing too old," Beal announces to his viewers that he will commit suicide on his next and final program. Eyeing ratings gold with this news, an ambitious programming executive convinces the powers that be not to fire Beal on the spot. The tables turn, however, when instead of going through the act, Beal launches into rhetoric about the state of the world and concludes his tirade with "I'm mad as Hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore!" [MGM]… Expand

Director: Sidney Lumet

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 121 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Staff (Not Credited)

A brilliantly played, stone-cold '70s classic.

100

Stephen Garrett

This still-prescient vivisection of modern culture’s vapidity crackles with the nervous energy of midtown’s hothouse broadcasters. Read full review

100

Empire Colin Kennedy

Network is typical of the cool intelligence of '70s American cinema. Read full review

Arthur Knight

Whatever its flaws, Network is a picture that can stand on its own. And does. Read full review

James Berardinelli

It's a dark, dark comedy that ruthlessly skewers the news industry on a stake, then roasts it alive. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

There's an amazing display of acting talent, even though director Lumet doesn't quite tie all the strands together. Read full review

Pauline Kael

He hardly bothers with the characters; the movie is a ventriloquial harrangue. He thrashes around in messianic God-love booziness, driving each scene to an emotional peak. Read full review

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User Reviews

wiiy71

Dec 30, 2017

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0 of 1 users found this helpful01

geewah

Aug 8, 2021

A brilliant satire, which sadly is still relevant today, on the lack of morals within the ratings driven world of commercial television.
One of the best movies of the 1970's.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

The3AcademySins

Dec 21, 2018

One of Sidney Lumet's best movies, Network serves as a messy, biting satire of the television networks of the 1970s. Even so, it is incredibly and sometimes frightfully relevant even today. Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall, Peter Finch and company are an extremely well put together ensemble thatOne of Sidney Lumet's best movies, Network serves as a messy, biting satire of the television networks of the 1970s. Even so, it is incredibly and sometimes frightfully relevant even today. Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall, Peter Finch and company are an extremely well put together ensemble that elevate Paddy Chayefsky's script to new heights. One of the best films from the 1970s, and a must watch for serious cinephiles.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

John935

Apr 22, 2018

One of the most important American films of the Seventies, Network is messy and takes on more than it can properly chew, but the writing, directing and cast are top notch. The reason it's so good may well be its willingness to take risks. They don't always work but the net effect, sustainedOne of the most important American films of the Seventies, Network is messy and takes on more than it can properly chew, but the writing, directing and cast are top notch. The reason it's so good may well be its willingness to take risks. They don't always work but the net effect, sustained in this film, is it's got something to say that's worth thinking about. Flashes of humor with characters and situations that are vividly recognizable. Of its time and --40 years later-- timeless?...… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

ahmedaiman9999

Jun 12, 2018

This is the most effective satire film I've ever watched. It's thoroughly devastating, and that's because it doesn't work on one level. While Network's wry humor is very sharp and truly sore, it's the sympathy I had for Howard Beale, Peter Finch's character, that got me. Actually, theThis is the most effective satire film I've ever watched. It's thoroughly devastating, and that's because it doesn't work on one level. While Network's wry humor is very sharp and truly sore, it's the sympathy I had for Howard Beale, Peter Finch's character, that got me. Actually, the movie's obvious flaw is that the aspect that is focused on, which is the political satirical one, is underdeveloped, or let's say that all small changes that happen don't make the story any better, instead, they made the satire less sharp, and made me less interested in the story.

By contrast, the character of Beale is continuously developed, and it's character arc is painful to witness from the very beginning to the end. However, what really made me engaged despite the semi-hollow main plot are two things:

the first thing is the intelligent dialogue; it should be listed in top 10 movie dialogues of all-time. It easily can trick us as the plot is very well-developed.

The second thing is the characters, not only Howard Beale, but almost every character is a three-dimensional one. Specially when I was totally invested in all the characters, and how couldn't I with, maybe, the greatest cast ensemble performing the roles?
Of course, Peter Finch is great, and balances very well between his moments of wrath, and his moments of psychopathic coldness. But, c'mon, his performance is far cry from De Niro's in Taxi Driver, which is arguably the best performance in film. The performances that standout for me are William Holden's as Max Schumacher, he really deserved to win the Oscar, and Faye Dunaway's performance as Diana Christensen, which I think this is her best performance ever even better than her performance in Chinatown , and, fortunately, she took the Oscar for this role as the Best Actress in a Leading Role. Robert Duvall also, and as usual, gave a terrific performance. Needless to say, the entire cast is phenomenal!

I want to say that I love Sidney Lumet direction. He always shot the conversations in his movies in a way that make us feel they actually happen in real life, and 12 Angry Men and Dog Day Afternoon are the finest examples. But in the case of Network, there are some scenes that don't need to be shot this fast, they needed a little more focus, a little more dramatic feeling. The result is some scenes that could have been more effective if they were less rushed, also, there are some acting, which is great, that seemed to be over the top. And that's just because the direction, not the acting itself, except one scene in which the acting was really hammy. Also, the ending is rushed, but it's very shocking. With that being said, Lumet established a disturbing atmosphere, that due to it, nothing in this movie would have worked.

All in all, I enjoyed watching this movie that left a bitter taste in mouth, because of nothing but its accuracy which made it very relevant nowadays. And despite all its major flaws, Sidney Lumet made a satirical drama that still one of a kind.

(8/10)… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

o_rety

May 3, 2021

A tough nut to crack. Great dialogues (and even better monologues!) and acting. Seemingly, it's daringly revealing. Some points it rises hit eerily close to home (esp. during this covid craze). But, it's still programming. And I've a feeling I missed the gist of it (apart from the usual:A tough nut to crack. Great dialogues (and even better monologues!) and acting. Seemingly, it's daringly revealing. Some points it rises hit eerily close to home (esp. during this covid craze). But, it's still programming. And I've a feeling I missed the gist of it (apart from the usual: spreading despair, nihilism, atheism and moral rot). The melodrama arc is not believable and way too meta. The movie's focal point, the Howard Beale character, feels an artificial stooge. Strange one, for sure.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

amheretojudge

Apr 20, 2018

for god's sake, you are supposed to be the romantic..

Network Paddy Chayefsky; the writer, is the real protagonist in here, for his keen vision on creating a fiction in a white-collar office and still keeping it real and resembling towards the practicality is what helps the stunning craftfor god's sake, you are supposed to be the romantic..

Network

Paddy Chayefsky; the writer, is the real protagonist in here, for his keen vision on creating a fiction in a white-collar office and still keeping it real and resembling towards the practicality is what helps the stunning craft sail off to the shore, safely. Sidney Lumet is in his A game and along with a beautiful cinematography and conservative editing, the 'directorial' objective is successfully achieved. Faye Dunaway and William Holden are convincingly good in their parallel role but the real game changer is Peter Finch as a supporting cast. Network is not your typical controversial informative feature, but is more brutal and dark that is depicted nicely with the help of a cunning script, stellar performances and brilliant execution on its side.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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