Network [VHS]

"Network" is quite simply one of the best films I have ever seen. It works on so many levels ;as a satire on the television industry and the people who work within it , as a philosophical critique of globalising late 20th Century consumer capitalism and the dehumanising , desensitising and deindividualising effect that television plays in that system (the hypnotist in the corner) . The acting and screenplay in "Network" is sensational; William Holden is superb as the world-weary and wise News Controller and his relationship with his boss Faye Dunaway works as a symbol of the uneasy symbiosis between the Old Absolute Moral Values that Holdens character represents and the amoral New "Humanoid" Values of the Television Generation that Dunaways' represents . Insane (or messianic) News Anchor Man Howard Beale (Peter Finch) is another brilliantly acted character , while Ned Beatty and Robert Duvall also give remarkable performances as a sinister media baron and a ruthless network executive respectively . There are so many memorable scenes - Finches "I'm mad as hell..." rant is a classic, his one to one meeting with Beatty in the Boardroom , Holden with his wife , Holden with Dunaway towards the end of the film... the list goes on. "Network" , like Howard Beale , touches on some very sensitive and profound issues ,ultimately about the nature of life and humanity itself and it does so in a stylish, intelligent way with some of the best acting you will ever see.

"I love it. Suicides, assassinations, mad bombers, mafia hit men, automobile smash-ups... 'The Death Hour'. Great Sunday-night show for the whole family."

The back of the DVD's box describes 'Network' as "even more compelling & relevant today than when it was first released, [it] is a wickedly funny, spot-on indictment of the TV news media." Very true - but I think there's also a lot more to it than that.

The story revolves around Howard Beale, a news anchorman who is fired for his shows' poor ratings. As a result, he suffers a nervous breakdown & announces during a live broadcast that he will kill himself live on air, during his very last show in 2 weeks time. But as a result of his announcement, his viewing figures soar & ruthless TV executives aim to exploit him for all that he's worth & set him up as an anti-establishment, everyman preacher. Never mind that his message condemns them, forget getting him psychiatric help, it's the viewing figures that count.

This is a stark reminder of the central theme in the recent documentary 'The Corporation', which states that US big businesses can be compared with psychopaths due to their unwavering will to increase profits at any collateral cost & irregardless of social impact or morality. As the Networks' CEO tells Beale, "there is no America. There is no democracy. There is only IBM & ITT & AT&T & DuPont, Dow, Union Carbide & Exxon. Those are the nations of the world." Made in 1976 'Network' certainly comes across as a prophetic work when watched today - consider the increased power of corporations & sensationalistic, 'black-&-white' coverage of warfare & terrorism, not to mention US news shows which film car chases live. Real human lives turned into Hollywood movies & packaged for entertaiment.

The character of Howard Beale isn't actually in the film very much. A lot of the screen-time is given to one of his colleagues, played by William Holden - a menopausal everyman trying to make sense of the TV age, where everything & everyone is product to be exploited to increase viewing figures. He has an affair with an up-&-coming executive who 'scripts' her own life & those around them as if they were TV shows & wants to create "a show based on the activities of a terrorist group. Joseph Stalin & His Merry Band of Bolsheviks." Duvall says of her, " I'm not sure she's capable of any real feelings. She's TV generation. She learned life from Bugs Bunny." When Holden leaves his wife - representative of traditional American values - she tells him that "if you can't work up a winter passion for me, the least I require is respect & allegiance," comdemning the new dehumanising values which this new age has ushered in.

'Network' is a very thought-provoking piece. which has been very skilfully put together by Sidney Lumet, director of one of my all-time favourite films, 'Dog Day Afternoon'. While both films are well crafted & leave their audiences with much to ponder, the pacing in both is a little slow at times. However, while watching one of the slower portions of 'Network', I began giving very serious consideration to throwing away my television - and I think I probably will. This is testament to the powerful way this film makes the audience question a lot of their assumptions & implores them not to loose their basic humanity - which can surely only be a good thing.

Network is a social satire film made in the 70's about the feeding frenzy mentality that defines modern media. This film was well ahead of its time as it rings true today. Excellent cast.