“What it does accomplish is done so well, is seen so sharply, is presented so unforgivingly, that NETWORK will outlive a lot of tidier movies.” - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
“The greatest screenplay ever to remain undestroyed by Hollywood.” - Cintra Wilson, Salon.com
“NETWORK can be faulted both for going too far and not far enough, but it's also something that very few commercial films are these days. It's alive.” - Vincent Canby, New York Times
Saturday, July 13, 3:00 p.m. & Wednesday, July 17, 6:00 p.m. | Nearly 50 years after it was released, NETWORK remains one of the most prescient cinematic commentaries on media, which—when considered against our contemporary news and social media consumption levels—delivers a relevant and savage bite. When UBS Evening News anchorman Howard Beale (Peter Finch) learns he’ll be laid off due to declining ratings, he threatens, on air, to kill himself on live television. When he goes off script during a staged apology, Beale becomes a sensation, with America tuning in nightly to his furious diatribes. Ambitious producer Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) seizes the opportunity to exploit Beale’s instability, ironically seeing his rants on the dehumanization of society as the station’s, and her, ticket to major success. Winner of five Academy Awards (for Finch, Dunaway, Ned Beatty, Beatrice Straight, and Best Original Screenplay), NETWORK is cynical, razor sharp and—if you squint your eyes—you might swear it was made in 2024.
Awards & Nominations
Winner - Best Actor in a Leading Role (Peter Finch), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Faye Dunaway, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Beatrice Straight), Best Original Screenplay, Academy Awards
Nominee - Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role (William Holden), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Ned Beatty), Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing
Sidney Lumet Centennial: Sidney Lumet (1924–2011) was a director driven by stories of morality. Corrupt systems vs. brave protagonists, the worst of men pitted against the best, honesty in the face of hypocrisy—Lumet’s filmography reflects his dedication to championing what is true and what is just in this harsh world. To celebrate his centennial, we present 12 films by the Oscar-winning filmmaker, June 1–August 21. View full series.
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu