Network Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A washed-up news anchor yells a lot and then gets shot; basically, it’s the ‘Before They Were Famous’ episode of cable news gone horribly, hilariously wrong.

🍿 Network: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Howard Beale’s Breakdown

Howard Beale, a veteran news anchor for the UBS Evening News, is informed that his contract will not be renewed due to declining ratings. Distraught, he announces on air that he intends to commit suicide during his final broadcast. This announcement causes immediate chaos within the network, but Beale’s outburst unexpectedly spikes viewership.

The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves

Instead of being fired, Beale is given a new show where he rants about the ‘bullshit’ of modern life. His raw honesty resonates with viewers, transforming him into a sensation known as the ‘mad prophet of the airwaves.’ The network exploits his newfound popularity, prioritizing ratings over journalistic integrity. This leads to increasingly outrageous and sensational programming.

Corporate Control and Betrayal

As Beale’s message gains traction, he begins to critique the corporate control of media, specifically targeting Communications Corporation of America (CCA), UBS’s parent company. This puts him at odds with the network’s executives, who fear the financial implications of his pronouncements. Arthur Jensen, the chairman of CCA, delivers a chilling speech to Beale about the true power of global corporations and the illusion of national identity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Howard Beale (Peter Finch): An aging news anchor who has a mental breakdown and becomes a sensation by ranting about the state of the world on live television.
• Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway): An ambitious and ruthless programming executive who exploits Howard Beale’s breakdown for ratings and develops increasingly outrageous programming.
• Max Schumacher (William Holden): The news division president and Beale’s friend, who struggles with his conscience as the network exploits Beale and begins an affair with Diana Christensen.
• Frank Hackett (Robert Duvall): A corporate executive who supports Christensen’s programming decisions and helps to exploit Beale for the network’s profit.
• Arthur Jensen (Ned Beatty): The chairman of the Communications Corporation of America (CCA) who delivers a powerful speech about the true powers that control the world.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Howard Beale: “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” – Beale implores viewers to express their anger at the state of the world by shouting out their windows.
• Howard Beale: “All I know is that first you’ve got to get mad. You’ve got to say, ‘I’m a HUMAN BEING, God damn it! My life has VALUE!’” – Beale passionately conveys the importance of recognizing one’s inherent worth in a dehumanizing world.
• Arthur Jensen: “You have meddled with the primal forces of nature, Mr. Beale, and I won’t have it!” – Jensen reprimands Beale for disrupting the established order of corporate control.
• Arthur Jensen: “There is no America. There is no democracy. There is only IBM and ITT and AT&T and DuPont, Dow, Union Carbide, and Exxon. Those are the nations of the world today.” – Jensen reveals his view that corporate power has surpassed national identity.
• Max Schumacher: “I’m a human being, goddamn it! My life has value!” – Max echoes Beale’s words, overwhelmed by his affair and life crisis.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3.8M
• Domestic Gross: $23.7M
• Worldwide Gross: $23.7M

💥 Network Reviews

Personal Review

I first watched ‘Network’ as a film student, and it blew my mind. The raw energy of Peter Finch’s performance is insane! But what really got me was the script. It felt like a warning. The scene where Ned Beatty explains the ‘corporate cosmology’ had me chilled. I still think about it. Plus, the affair is one of the most awkward and realistic scenes I have ever seen. It is an experience that makes you reflect on your own values.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of satirical films”
  • “Those interested in media criticism”
  • “Viewers who appreciate strong performances”
  • “Anyone concerned about corporate power”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Violence”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “A prescient and blistering satire that holds up remarkably well. The performances are outstanding, particularly Finch and Dunaway, and the script is a masterpiece of black comedy and social commentary. Lumet directs with a sharp eye, making the film both entertaining and thought-provoking.
• Variety: “A savage, mordantly funny look at the television industry’s descent into sensationalism. The film boasts strong performances and sharp writing, but its bleak outlook may not appeal to all viewers. However, it’s a must-see for anyone interested in media criticism.
• The New York Times: “Sidney Lumet extracts outstanding performances from his cast in this black comedy, especially from Peter Finch as a newscaster. This dark, cynical, yet frighteningly prophetic look at the world of network television is a must see.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were captivated by the intense performances of Peter Finch and Faye Dunaway.: Many viewers agree that the film’s satire is more relevant today than when it was released.

People loved the famous ‘I’m as mad as hell’ scene and found it incredibly powerful.: The film is praised for its biting commentary on media manipulation and corporate greed.

Overall Consensus: A darkly comic and unsettling satire of the television industry, ‘Network’ is widely regarded as a masterpiece of its genre, boasting exceptional performances and a prescient script.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Actor)- 1977
2. Academy Award (Best Actress)- 1977
3. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress)- 1977
4. Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay)- 1977
5. Golden Globe Award (Best Director)- 1977
6. Golden Globe Award (Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama)- 1977
7. Golden Globe Award (Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama)- 1977
8. David di Donatello Awards (Best Foreign Film)- 1977

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Peter Finch won the role of Howard Beale after sending director Sidney Lumet a recording of himself reading The New York Times with a perfect American accent, allaying Lumet’s concerns about Finch’s Australian accent.”
• “Paddy Chayefsky’s screenplay was heavily influenced by the real-life on-air breakdown of news anchor Christine Chubbuck, who committed suicide on live television in 1974.”

🖥️ How to Watch Network?

Network is available for streaming on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where you can rent or purchase the movie. Check your local listings for cable or satellite providers that may offer the film on demand. Physical copies, including Blu-ray and DVD, are widely available for purchase from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Network, you might like these similar films:

• A Face in the Crowd (1957): Explores the rise and fall of a media personality and the dangers of unchecked power in television.
• The Truman Show (1998): A man discovers his entire life is a reality TV show, highlighting the themes of media manipulation and constructed realities.
• Man Bites Dog (1992): A dark, satirical mockumentary about a film crew following a serial killer, examining the media’s desensitization to violence.
• Broadcast News (1987): Offers a behind-the-scenes look at the personalities and pressures within a television news network, with a focus on journalistic integrity.

🛒 Network Related Products

• Network (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: The Criterion Collection edition features a meticulously restored transfer, extensive special features, and insightful commentary, making it the definitive version for collectors.
• “I’m as Mad as Hell…” T-Shirt: A comfortable t-shirt featuring the iconic quote from the film, perfect for expressing your inner Howard Beale.
• Paddy Chayefsky: The Television Plays: Explore the brilliance of Paddy Chayefsky through a collection of his groundbreaking television plays, offering a deeper understanding of his writing style and social commentary.
• Network Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, perfect for decorating your home theater or office.

🎧 Soundtrack

Network features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Elliot Lawrence
• “America” – performed by Charles Ives
• “Those Were The Days” – performed by Jaime Morey

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

This guy buys the land to run a network #film #movie

Check out this hilarious scene that has been making waves online. It’s a great example of the movie’s sharp wit and biting social commentary.

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