The 1976 movie NETWORK is as timely as ever!

[Vinnie From Indy]

I just re-screened the movie 1976 movie Network starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden and Robert Duvall. I had forgotten many parts of the movie, but I was struck by the real life, modern parallels to many of the characters in the movie. Ned Beatty plays the character Arthur Fleming. The character Fleming is at the head of a multi-national media conglomerate and he gives the movies most memorable quote.

"You are an old man (speaking to the character Howard Beale) who thinks in terms of nations and peoples. There are no nations; there are no peoples. There are no Russians. There are no Arabs. There are no third worlds. There is no West. There is only one holistic system of systems; one vast, interwoven, interacting, multivaried, multinational dominion of dollars.

The world is a business, Mr. Beale; it has been since man crawled out of the slime. Our children will live, Mr. Beale, to see that perfect world in which there's no war or famine, oppression or brutality - one vast and ecumenical holding company, for whom all men will work to serve a common profit, in which all men will hold a share of stock - all necessities provided, all anxieties tranquilized, all boredom amused. And I have chosen you, Mr. Beale, to preach this evangel."

Another great bit of dialogue from the character Howard Beale.

"Right now, there is a whole, an entire generation that never knew anything that didn't come out of this tube. This tube is the gospel, the ultimate revelation; this tube can make or break presidents, popes, prime ministers; this tube is the most awesome goddamn propaganda force in the whole godless world, and woe is us if it ever falls into the hands of the wrong people...this company is now in the hands of CCA, the Communications Corporation of America; there's a new chairman of the board, a man called Frank Hackett, sitting in Mr. Ruddy's office on the twentieth floor. And when the 12th largest company in the world controls the most awesome goddamn propaganda force in the whole godless world, who knows what shit will be peddled for truth on this network?"

[saltpoint]

1. A great film with a tremendous script and cast.

Good post.

[mucifer]

18. Another great movie that critiqued TV was "A Face In The Crowd"

http://imdb.com/title/tt0050371/

This movie was made in 1957 and stars Andy Griffin directed by Elia Kazan very critical of the media and it's effect on people. It has lots of creepy parts. Television was in it's infancy when this movie was ripping it apart.

[saltpoint]

19. Hi, mucifer. I'm not familiar with that one but will try to check it

out.

It sounds like it's way ahead of its time, too.

'Appreciate the link. Thank you.

[checks-n-balances]

25. See "A Face in the Crowd" for fantastic acting but esp. for its message

It took place in the day before someone like Karl Rove was presumed to be needed. Griffith's character knew instinctively how to turn on his "cornpone" personality to draw in the ratings, the votes, and most especially the $$$$.

Network is also brilliant, and these two movies are so, like you said, WAY ahead of their time!

[EFerrari]

41. I think you would enjoy it, if "enjoyment" is the right word.

The casting is immaculate and the camera work is, too.

[tom_paine]

2. Network is a terrific movie. It's "shockers" have been rendered

anachronistic by the passage of time.

The Mao Tse Tung Hour is almost tepid in it's content and almost quaint.

[NYCGirl]

3. And this film from 1951 predated it —

http://allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:84965~T1

A movie truly ahead of its time, Ace in the Hole (also known as The Big Carnival) turned out to be too bitter and cynical for moviegoers in 1951. An unrelenting portrait of media sensationalism and the human obsession with tragedy that propels it, the film is based on a true story that also spawned Robert Penn Warren's novel The Cave. Director, screenwriter, and producer Billy Wilder suffered perhaps the biggest commercial and critical failure of his career with Ace, losing much of his standing at Paramount, even though the movie was released between two of his most enduring and popular triumphs, Sunset Boulevard (1950) and Stalag 17 (1953). Ace was perhaps not up to the standard of those works, but it clearly stands as one of Wilder's many achievements. It's hardly surprising that this film failed to find a mainstream audience, despite the added attraction of emerging star Kirk Douglas in the lead. American culture wouldn't be ready for such a large dose of pessimism until the 1970s; even then, a film such as 1976's Network, which clearly paralleled the tone of Wilder's effort, was dismissed by many viewers as too hysterical.


Just saw this for the first time last week, and it's incredible.

Edited to add:

Nice articles about the film:
http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/cteq/01/19/ace.html
http://www.villagevoice.com/film/0702,lee,75507,20.html

[Vinnie From Indy]

6. I am not sure I have seen Ace!

But, I will certainly make an effort to find it soon. Thanks for the post!

[NYCGirl]

9. It was shown for the first time on TCM a couple of weeks ago,

and it's now become my favorite Billy Wilder film. I love what he said when the film flopped at the box office (it was WAAAAAYY too dark and cynical for the time it was made):

Bitter to the end, Ace in the Hole nearly suffocates on cynicism. Small wonder it died on release. "Fuck them all," said Wilder. "It is the best picture I ever made."

Note: It's sometimes released as "The Big Carnival"

Looks like it may be due for a DVD release soon:
http://www.amazon.com/Ace-Hole-AKA-Big-Carnival/dp/B00005JL0L/sr=8-1/qid=1171594533/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1425730-8534239?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

[faithnotgreed]

11. very cool - i will have to request tcm show that

[NYCGirl]

13. I just looked it up on TCM — it'll be shown again on March 17th at 12 noon!

[Vinnie From Indy]

14. One hell of a way to usher in a St. Patty's Day!

Thanks!

[faithnotgreed]

24. well thank you very much - i will look forward to that

i have watched and much preferred older movies since i can remember so i was surprised that i had not seen that one
thank you again for the information and just one more reason to love the tcm channel

[Az]

4. Perhaps the single most prescient film ever made

I am constantly reminded of this film as I watch our media continue to sell us down the river.

[SeattleGirl]

5. I watched it several months ago, after not seeing it since it first

came out, and I absolutely agree. It is still relevant.

[faithnotgreed]

7. i just thought the same thing about the movie "reds"

warren beatty could have just as easily made this movie today as he did over 25 years ago

[bikebloke]

38. DVD trailer

The trailer for the new Reds DVD takes that tact. Unfortunately, I can't find it on YouTube or anywhere else.

[faithnotgreed]

39. so there is a new "reds" dvd

i didnt know that since i dont really own any but if i were that would be one to consider
i will look into that

thank you for the information bikebloke

[bikebloke]

40. 25th Anniversary

I think I paid ten bucks for it new, but worried about the tranfer quality. But it's very good.

[faithnotgreed]

43. nice

thank you so much
i am not often excited by technology but i will definitely look into it

[omega minimo]

8. anyone who buys the corporatists' media wet dream does not know the power of Art

the Truth will be born and reborn into this pathetically hypermediated planet and there's nuthin the heartless bastards can do about it...

:hi:

[saltpoint]

16. Life is short, Art is long. Not surprisingly, omega minimo,

you have it right once again.

Another bullseye.

[omega minimo]

21. Aye

;)

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

22. And the artists shall lead us :-)

Just off the top of my head: Dixie Chicks, John Stewart, Kanye West, Stephen Colbert, Spike Lee, Michael Moore, Bruce Springsteen, George Clooney :loveya:, Tom Toles, Neil Young, Matt Damon, Dave Chappelle, Stephanie Miller, Prince, Susan Saradon, Tim Robbins, Willie Nelson, Swamp Rat, Samantha Bee, Maya Angelou, Barbra Streisand, Linda Rondtstat, Faithless, David Byrne, Johnny Depp, Viggo Mortensen, D.L. Hugley, Warren Beatty and on and on.

Thanks to all of you for sharing your heart's creations with everyone.
MKJ

[Canuckistanian]

10. The movie was supposed to be a warning about CM

Paddy Chayefsky was a visionary. But his message wasn't heard.

Entertainment morphing into news and vice versa. Corporate control over content. We're living in that world now.

Interesting trivia: Ned Beatty didn't receive his full script of the speech until the day before the shooting.

[blogslut]

26. Paddy Chayefsky is the man

"The Hosptial" is another great one from him...among so many.

[roamer65]

12. "I'm a human being, Goddamn it. My life has value!"

I still love that line from Beale.

[Individualist]

15. It's more relevant now than it was in '76

[Poll_Blind]

17. Vinnie, I SO agree with you on this. I have used this movie a...

...couple of times in the last year in posts because it is a strange and foreshadowing artifact. It has only become more relevant, which is unusual for something which seemed to represent a particular zeitgeist. And it does that, superficially. But the themes have only been adopted more widely in America as time goes on.

PB

[zulchzulu]

20. One of my faves

Watch the trailer!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074958/trailers-screenplay-E10932-10-2

Watch a Quicktime movie of "Mad as hell..."
www.awolcowboy.com/media/mad_as_hell.mov

[Starbucks Anarchist]

23. One of my favorites.

[NuttyFluffers]

27. damn good movie. saw it because of randi rhodes.

i'm a relative youg'un, so i haven't heard or seen it before. but on her recommendation i went and saw it. wonderful film. kinda makes you sad that they don't make such solid movies as much anymore.

[Berry Cool]

28. Of course you are right

and Keith Olbermann pointed that out back in 2005, which was why he ended one of his shows like this:



and last year was photographed for GQ magazine like this:



A Face in the Crowd is excellent too. You'll find yourself asking whether Viagra, Cialis and Levitra aren't just modern-day versions of "Vitajex." And talk about prescient in its description of a politician being groomed by a media "expert" to deliberately make himself seem more down-to-earth so those poor suckers known as the voters will elect him! Friendly-greetin', Sunday-go-to-meetin', Just Plain Folks indeed!

[Jeanette in FL]

29. The best rant ever:

Howard Beale: 'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!' I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Things have got to change. But first, you've gotta get mad!... You've got to say, 'I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Then we'll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it:
Howard Beale: "I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"

A must see movie for anyone who has not seen it.

[In Truth We Trust]

30. "I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"

That was the take away line for me in this movie.

[Catchawave]

36. Keith does a great Howard Beale:

I wonder if this is on YouTube?

[Fire Walk With Me]

31. Agreed! It should be aired on MSM sometime soon, if there is any justice.

By "Should", I mean that's what should happen, not what is likely to happen.

[MamaBear]

42. They would have to cut a really important scene.

The Fundies would go berserk if MSM televised the scene between Dunaway and Holden on their weekend getaway. Plus the language ... :shrug:

[MamaBear]

32. Arthur Jensen.

Nick Beatty's character was Arthur Jensen.

Holden's character tells Dunaway's character in the climactic scene that TV destroys everything it touches. I think we have seen that statement demonstrated all too clearly as well.

Also, Duval's arrogant, strutting, pretentious corporate executive, Frank Hackett, was so right on. "I'm a man without a corporation!" he wails when things start to go wrong.

If you're quick, and read the cast list first, you'll also note a great job by Marcia Warfield and look for Tim Robbins in what may have been his first part. Alas, he has no lines. Walter Cronkite's daughter also has a small role.

[NotGivingUp]

33. great movie! now you're making me want to see it again!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

34. Peter Finch was fabulous as the news anchor who does more outrageous things

to get higher ratings.

I remember when Peter Finch got a posthumous Oscar for his work. He was one of those old British Shakespearean types like Lord Olivier and the various wizard principals of Harry Potter's School who have a bad habit of dying off. They all seem to have the same first name -- Sir. :evilgrin:

[rudy23]

35. There's no countries, only corporations! nt

[VenusRising]

37. One of my favorite movies.

There is nothing like Howard Beale going off on television and media.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZiPM5ekpC0