An in-depth Analysis of Sydney Lumet's 1976 film 'Network'

Network 1976 Film

In this video, I analyze themes from the 1976 satire/black comedy 'Network' directed by Sydney Lumet, written by Paddy Chayefsky, and starring Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Robert Duvall, and Beatrice Straight. The film is about a television station that gets a ratings boost after 1 of its anchors tells his audience that he is going to commit suicide on live television. Incredibly, the film won Academy Awards in 3 acting categories (Best Actor: Peter Finch; Best Actress: Faye Dunaway; and Best Supporting Actress: Beatrice Straight). The film also earned an award for Paddy Chayefsky's script. This film is prophetic and more relevant today than when it was made. One of the great films ever! 

A closer look at a scene from the film 'Network'

A perspective of the film 'Network'

Sydney Lumet's 'Network' describes the transformation of news into entertainment and propaganda.

It’s ironic that the film makes a comparison between how society responds to real news and how society responds to spectacle, again a commentary on how entertainment has dumbed down an American society that prefers titillation over facts and rational analysis. For example, Diana points out that when Beale said the word “shit” on the air the show’s ratings—and his popularity- went up by 5 points. And now, the biggest newspapers in the country are lavishing free press on the television station because of Howard Beale’s unpredictable behavior instead of the actual news content of the show itself. Although Howard is stirring the people up on righteous issues, the attention seems to be more on “how” he delivers that message rather than on the message itself.

Scene from 'Network':Idealism

A perspective of the film 'Network'

In this scene, Max breaks the news to Howard that they have to take him off the air. Howard, though, has 2nd thoughts now that his show is gaining in popularity. He believes that he has a divine calling and that he speaks for the people. Beale gives an incredible speech and when he finishes he passes out as if unplugged from a wall socket. 

To me, this scene represents idealism and how the media caters its messages to viewers’ preferences. Like politicians, the media tells us exactly what we want to hear, that we are important, that we matter, that we are individuals. But behind the scenes the people who supply what we see on television only care about money. A good example of a company combining propaganda and advertising is the National Rifle Association and their position on the 2nd amendment of the Constitution. At the same time, the NRA gets most of its money from the gun industry and individuals so the positions the NRA takes on Americans’ Constitutional rights to bear arms benefits the gun manufacturers that donate money to the organization. 

Notes: 

from money.cnn (date unknown) Authors Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken

“Since 2005, the NRA Political Victory Fund has received nearly $85 million in contributions from individual donors. After the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, donations to this political action committee surged as gun owners worried that their rights to buy and own guns were at risk.

The call for stricter gun control laws from leaders like President Obama in the wake of this tragedy fueled these fears and prompted the NRA to rally its members to fight against new regulations.

As a result, gun sales soared, and so did donations. Donations in the 2014 election cycle were up by more than 50% compared to the prior two years, and nearly doubled from a decade ago.

"Americans look to the NRA to defend their constitutional right to self protection," NRA spokesperson Jennifer Baker told CNNMoney. "When gun control advocates ramp up their efforts to pass gun control people voice their opposition by donating to the NRA."

Contributions came from nearly 30,000 donors, with around 90% of donations made by people who gave less than $200 in a single year. According to the NRA, the average donation is around $35.”

Members at a NRA annual meeting.

The NRA's ability to raise so much money from small donations is highly unusual for a special interest group, demonstrating its wide reaching support, said Sarah Bryner, research director at the Center for Responsive Politics.

From Business Insider Jan. 16, 2013, 1:25 PM, Author Walter Hickey

“Since 2005, the gun industry and its corporate allies have given between $20 million and $52.6 million to it through the NRA Ring of Freedom sponsor program. Donors include firearm companies like Midway USA, Springfield Armory Inc, Pierce Bullet Seal Target Systems, and Beretta USA Corporation. Other supporters from the gun industry include Cabala's, Sturm Rugar & Co, and Smith & Wesson.

The NRA also made $20.9 million — about 10 percent of its revenue — from selling advertising to industry companies marketing products in its many publications in 2010, according to the IRS Form 990.”

Overstimulated: A perspective of the film 'Network'

Summary

This is a behind the scenes look at the Howard Beale show from the movie Network directed by Sydney Lumet. The employees all seem indifferent and going through the motions. The station has been getting bad ratings and Howard Beale’s announcement that he’s going to commit suicide on the air gives the station a big boost in ratings. 

Analysis

The people behind the scenes producing this show is how our society is today:

• bored 
• overstimulated (as represented by the many monitors)
• distracted -- It takes something sensational and violent like suicide to get people’s attention

This scene also shows the transition from news to sensationalism in how Howard Beales’ falling ratings get a big boost when he announces his suicide on live television. Even today anything that’s lurid or controversial goes into a 24 hour cycle where everything else is ignored for the sake of that 1 news item. These events play on every channel until the next big news--big ratings draw-- replaces it (The cops shot in Dallas and Baton Rouge, black men killed by cops in routine traffic stops, OJ, etc.).

Pre-suicide Howard Beale (here played by Peter Finch) represents traditional straight-down-the-line news. After he announces his suicide on the air, he is “born again” and transformed into the spokesman for society’s popular rage (Donald Trump) and the champion of the individual.