Network

Network

1976

Director: Sidney Lumet

Writer: Paddy Chayefsky

121 Minutes

Never has there been a more potent film for this generation, that generation, next generation, and past generations. This film speaks the truth, not just with television networks seeking ratings or unethical affairs. It’s the truth about what’s going on in the world.

And it's ugly.

This film was inspired by Christine Chubbuck and her on-air suicide. Chubbuck suffered from depression and during a newscast, she put a revolver to her head and pulled the trigger.

That is ugly.

Network is about a fictional television station dealing with poor ratings. They fire their lead anchor, Howard Beale (Peter Finch) where then Beale tells the world he is going to kill himself on his last broadcast.

Their ratings improved 5%.

The Network immediately cancels the rest of Howard’s programming, but quickly realize how financially beneficial Howard’s actions might be. They let him on for a second round and Howard goes off:

“I just ran out of bullshit.”

Howard explains the pain of slinging bullshit, speaking the truths about God, life, man – he speaks the truth about all the bullshit they have to deal with on this crazy ride. It’s all bullshit. Nothing but bullshit. All of it...bullshit.

Again, their ratings improve. Again, they let Howard sing.

In the famous scene above, the Network lets Howard report the news, dressed in his raincoat and pajama’s. He has crossed over. He is completely crazy. But, it takes this crazy person to speak the truth. Howard is the voice of the American people, explaining their thoughts about Vietnam, Watergate, murder, depression, the Cold War, etc.

And he says, “I want you to get mad.”

Howard’s message is to get angry. Don’t listen to your television or radio. Don’t play dumb. Stand up. Get mad. Speak your mind. Don’t roll over, do something about it.

“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” He shouts.

This scene is what America needed to hear. It wasn’t a story at this point. It was a message. It was a calling card to the government, population, and every God blessed individual in this country.

We got to get mad. Stand up, open your window, and scream it. I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.

This causes a revolution. The streets of New York echo Howard’s message. And in the wake of the 1960’s, this message needed to be said. Don’t become a slave. Don’t numb yourself with entertainment. Yell, scream, and get pissed. Get mad. You got to get mad.

Like I said, never has their been a more potent film than Network. Even today, the message of standing up, getting mad, and saying you’re not going to take it anymore is a good one. The notion of believing your life has value is a good one. And nevermore truthfully was this message than when it was said by Howard Beale.

The film took home four Academy Awards, the first posthumous award to Peter Finch for Best Actor. It’s a film on everyone's best film list and the line, “I want you to get mad,” remains one of the greatest lines in entertainment history.

At the heart of this film is truth. Truth that the world is burning and most people either care about the ratings or don’t care at all.

Which one are you…