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Network

File:Network_(1976_poster).png · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ572165· pop 47· linked from 438 articles

Also known as Union Broadcasting System

1976 film by Sidney Lumet

Film · TMDB

7.8

When veteran anchorman Howard Beale is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ratings.

Released: 1976-11-27122 minDir: Sidney LumetDramaBudget: $3.8MBox office: $23.7M

Cast

  • Faye Dunaway as Diana Christensen
  • William Holden as Max Schumacher
  • Peter Finch as Howard Beale
  • Robert Duvall as Frank Hackett
  • Ned Beatty as Arthur Jensen
  • Beatrice Straight as Louise Schumacher

Themes

  • adultery
  • new york city
  • corruption
  • profit
  • satire
  • tv ratings
  • murder
  • corporate
  • reporter
  • co-workers relationship

This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

Ratings

IMDb

8.1/10

184,935 votes

Rotten Tomatoes

91%

Metacritic

83/100

Year
1976
Runtime
121 min
Genres
Drama
Rated
R
Awards
Won 4 Oscars. 20 wins & 27 nominations total

via OMDb · IMDb

Key facts

Directed by
Sidney Lumet
Written by
Paddy Chayefsky
Produced by
Howard Gottfried , Fred C. Caruso
Starring
Faye Dunaway William Holden Peter Finch Robert Duvall
Narrated by
Lee Richardson
Cinematography
Owen Roizman
Edited by
Alan Heim
Music by
Elliot Lawrence
Production company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Distributed by
United Artists
Release date
November 27, 1976 ( 1976-11-27 )
Running time
121 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$3.8 million
Box office
$23.7 million

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Duration
121
FilmAffinity ID
480193
Show 5 more facts
publication date
1976-00-00
title
Network
review score
90%
capital cost
3800000
box office
23689877
Sources (15)

via Wikidata · CC0

~22 min read

Article

Network is a 1976 American satirical black comedy drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Paddy Chayefsky. It depicts a television network struggling with poor ratings until the nightly live broadcast of its longtime news anchor Howard Beale (Peter Finch) inadvertently showcases his breakdown into increasingly psychotic behavior, which makes his show a surprise hit. Alongside Finch (in his final role), the film stars Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Robert Duvall, Wesley Addy, Ned Beatty, and Beatrice Straight.

Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and released by United Artists on November 27, 1976, Network was a commercial success, earning $23.7 million on a $3.8 million production budget. Network received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise for its screenplay and performances. At the 49th Academy Awards, it received ten nominations, including Best Picture, and won four: Best Actor for Finch (posthumously), Best Actress for Dunaway, Best Supporting Actress for Straight, and Best Original Screenplay for Chayefsky.

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