Network (1976)

Last updated:
September 23, 2025

Sidney Lumet’s Network (1976) is not just a movie—it’s a satirical prophecy that predicted the obsession with ratings, sensationalism, and the blending of news and entertainment in modern television. Written by Paddy Chayefsky, the film holds up as one of the sharpest critiques of media and capitalism ever made. Let’s dive deep into its story, cast, behind-the-scenes facts, and all the details you need to know.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Howard Beale’s Breakdown

The story begins with veteran news anchor Howard Beale (Peter Finch), who is informed that he will soon be fired due to low ratings. On live television, he announces that he will commit suicide on air the following week. Instead of cutting him off immediately, the network keeps him on, and the shocking statement causes a sudden surge in ratings.

Turning Madness into Entertainment

The network executives, led by programming executive Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway), see an opportunity in Beale’s unhinged behavior. Instead of firing him, they give him his own segment, turning his rants into spectacle. Beale soon becomes a national sensation, spouting about the emptiness of modern life and the corruption of institutions. His most famous rallying cry is born: “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

Diana and Max

Behind the scenes, Diana becomes romantically involved with Max Schumacher (William Holden), a veteran news division president. Their relationship is deeply symbolic: Max represents the old guard of journalism that still values integrity, while Diana embodies the ruthless pursuit of ratings at any cost. Their affair deteriorates as Max realizes Diana is incapable of genuine human connection, consumed entirely by ambition.

The Corporate Takeover

As Beale’s popularity grows, he begins attacking the very corporations that control the network. In particular, he rails against a major deal involving Arab investors and the network’s parent company. His rants threaten billions in profits. The network executives initially panic, but soon, they turn Beale into a prophet-like figure, dressing his show with theatrics that resemble a cult revival meeting.

Howard Beale’s Fall

Eventually, Beale’s anti-corporate tirades drive down ratings. His novelty wears off, and viewers start tuning out. This is unacceptable for the network, which is always hungry for the next ratings spike. The executives conclude that Beale is now more valuable dead than alive.

Movie Ending

The climax is chilling and unforgettable. The network executives orchestrate Howard Beale’s assassination live on air, using a radical terrorist group they also broadcast for entertainment value. Beale is gunned down in front of millions of viewers, his murder framed as just another piece of programming.

The film closes with an eerie narration: Howard Beale was the first television personality ever killed for bad ratings. This ending delivers the film’s ultimate message—television will commodify anything, even death, if it means higher ratings.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Network does not have a post-credits scene. The story ends with Beale’s live on-air assassination and the narrator’s cold summation, which serves as the film’s final punch.

Type of Movie

Network is a satirical drama with elements of dark comedy. It critiques the media, capitalism, and society’s willingness to trade truth for entertainment.

Cast

Peter Finch as Howard Beale
Faye Dunaway as Diana Christensen
William Holden as Max Schumacher
Robert Duvall as Frank Hackett
Ned Beatty as Arthur Jensen
Beatrice Straight as Louise Schumacher

Film Music and Composer

The film features a minimal score, with Henry Mancini contributing music. The real power of the movie lies in its dialogue and performances, not a heavy musical presence.

Filming Locations

Primarily filmed in New York City and Toronto.
Key scenes set in television studios were filmed at actual broadcast centers to enhance realism.
The urban setting reinforces the film’s critique of corporate media culture rooted in America’s largest city.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Awards: Won Best Actor (Peter Finch), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Beatrice Straight), Best Actress (Faye Dunaway), and Best Original Screenplay (Paddy Chayefsky). Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Ned Beatty), Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing.
Golden Globe Awards: Won Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama (Peter Finch) and Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (Faye Dunaway). Nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor (Ned Beatty), and Best Supporting Actress (Beatrice Straight).
BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Film, Best Direction, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Peter Finch), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Faye Dunaway), Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Soundtrack.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Peter Finch died of a heart attack shortly before the Academy Awards, making him the first posthumous Oscar winner for Best Actor.
Faye Dunaway initially turned down the role of Diana because she thought the character was too cold, but the script’s brilliance convinced her.
Paddy Chayefsky’s script was so powerful that actors often didn’t deviate a word from it.
The infamous “mad as hell” scene was shot with extras leaning out of their real New York apartments, shouting lines into the night.

Inspirations and References

Loosely inspired by real-life television anchors who struggled with mental breakdowns under the pressures of corporate-driven broadcasting.
Reflects the growing influence of conglomerates in the 1970s media landscape.
The movie predicted the rise of infotainment, reality TV, and the exploitation of outrage for ratings.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no widely known alternate endings. The assassination ending was always central to the story and considered untouchable by both Lumet and Chayefsky.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Network is not based on a book, but Paddy Chayefsky later published the screenplay in book form. The film is an original work of satire, not an adaptation.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Howard Beale’s first on-air breakdown, announcing his planned suicide.
The “I’m mad as hell” broadcast that unites millions of viewers.
The boardroom speech by Arthur Jensen (Ned Beatty) describing “the primal forces of nature” that control the world.
Diana and Max’s cold, transactional breakup.
Beale’s assassination live on air.

Iconic Quotes

Howard Beale: “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”
Arthur Jensen: “There is no America. There is no democracy. There is only IBM and ITT and AT&T, and DuPont, Dow, Union Carbide, and Exxon.”
Howard Beale: “Television is not the truth. Television is a goddamned amusement park.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The terrorist group in the movie foreshadows the blending of radical politics with TV spectacle—eerily relevant to modern times.
Diana’s obsession with ratings mirrors the way TV executives in the 1970s began prioritizing demographics over journalism.
The use of real New York locations blurs the line between fiction and reality.

Trivia

Beatrice Straight holds the record for the shortest Oscar-winning performance (about 5 minutes of screen time).
Sidney Lumet shot the movie in just over two months.
The script was so sharp that it became a template for media critique in later decades.

Why Watch?

Because it’s terrifyingly relevant even today. If you want to understand how media evolved from journalism to spectacle, Network is essential. It’s both a warning and a masterpiece of satire that feels even sharper in the age of 24-hour news and viral outrage.

Network (1976)