At Tynemouth Social Club

Directed by Sidney Lumet.  Written by Paddy Chayefsky.

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Peter Finch plays Howard Beale, an anchor at the end of his rope, facing oblivion because of poor ratings. A bitter threat to kill himself in front of the cameras spells potential for the more entertainment-minded within the network – notably ambitious producer Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) – and soon Beale’s rants against modern life are topping the ratings even as they sow the seeds of his demise. Applying to the media the tone of cynical conspiracy-mindedness characteristic of much American political cinema of the 1970s, Network still makes for bracingly confrontational viewing, its soapier plot elements offset by its fatalism and prescience. The film stars Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch (in his final film role), Robert Duvall, Wesley Addy, Ned Beatty, and Beatrice Straight.

(Duration 2 hours)