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Network

Network

Drama · 1976

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.

Movie details

Network

“Television will never be the same.”

1976 Drama 2h 2m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.8 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Network?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Sidney Lumet

Written by

Paddy Chayefsky

Faye Dunaway

Faye Dunaway

Diana Christensen

William Holden

William Holden

Max Schumacher

Peter Finch

Peter Finch

Howard Beale

Robert Duvall

Robert Duvall

Frank Hackett

Wesley Addy

Wesley Addy

Nelson Chaney

Ned Beatty

Ned Beatty

Arthur Jensen

Arthur Burghardt

Arthur Burghardt

Great Ahmed Kahn

Court is in session

Put Network on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.