Director : Sidney Lumet

Stars :
Faye Dunaway .... Diana Christensen
William Holden .... Max Schumacher
Peter Finch .... Howard Beale
Robert Duvall .... Frank Hackett
Wesley Addy .... Nelson Chaney
Ned Beatty .... Arthur Jensen

Preparation :
Read the reviews by Roger Ebert and James Berardinelli

Historical/Social Significance :
We deal in illusion, man! None of it’s true! But you people sit there - all of you - day after day, night after night, all ages, colors, creeds - we're all you know. You're beginning to believe this illusion we're spinning here. You're beginning to think the tube is reality and your own lives are unreal. You do whatever the tube tells you. You dress like the tube, you eat like the tube, you raise your children like the tube, you think like the tube. This is mass madness, you maniacs! In God's name, you people are the real thing! We're the illusions! So turn off this goddam set! Turn it off right now! Turn it off and leave it off. Howard Beale in Network

Synopsis :
A TV newsman begins to lose his mind on the air and his ratings start to go up.

Guided Questions for Viewing :
Assessment questions will be based on the following :
• The main theme of this movie is that television is about entertainment. List some examples from the movie where serious events were transformed into entertaining topics for the audience.
• Do you think the nightly news show should be informative or entertaining? Defend your position with reference to the film.
• Serious issues in TV news shows are always balanced with lighter stories. Discuss this strategy with regards to the movie Network. Is this dark story balanced with comic relief? Give examples from the film.
• Discuss how democracy could be subverted by TV. Do you think that it is possible?
• One of the themes of Invasions of the Body Snatchers was the danger inherent in conformity. Discuss this concept with reference to what Network has to say.
• Who do you think is at fault that TV has been "dumbed down", the networks or the viewers? Defend your answer with reference to the film.
• Who is the person that you admire the most in this film? Why do you admire him or her?
• Who is the villain in this movie? Discuss this with reference to the film.