Sunday 11 March 2012

1976, Film: Network

"Network",  an American film, was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1976. The film, about a fictional television network, Union Broadcasting System (UBS), and its struggle with poor ratings, was written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Sidney Lumet. The main cast are Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch and Robert Duvall.

Chayefsky's script was partly based on the on-air suicide of television news reporter Christine Chubbuck in Sarasota, Florida two years earlier. The anchorwoman suffered from depression and shot herself on camera on July 15, 1974.

William Holden and Peter Finch

The film tells the story of Howard Beale (Peter Finch), the long-time anchor of the UBS Evening News. One day news division president Max Schumacher (William Holden) tells him that he has just two more weeks on the air because of declining ratings. The two old friends get drunk and lament the state of their industry. The following day, Beale announces on live television that he will commit suicide during next Tuesday's broadcast...

Faye Dunaway

Awards
  • Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role: Peter Finch (1977)
  • Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role: Faye Dunaway (1977)
  • Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Beatrice Straight (1977)
  • Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: Paddy Chayefsky (1977)
  • BAFTA Film Award for Best Actor: Peter Finch (1978)

Trailer

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