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Network (15) [Re-release]

A man sits at a 70s American news broadcast desk.

A news anchor threatens suicide live on air after his low-rated show is cancelled, prompting an ambitious programming exec to push for a final broadcast, in this 1976 black comedy.

To celebrate 100 years since the birth of Sidney Lumet, we are screening his 1976 film Network.

Howard Beale, a veteran newscaster, is informed by his ratings-driven network executives that he is about to be dumped because he "skews old" - in turn, he uses his next broadcast to announce that he is going to commit suicide on his final programme. An ambitious programming executive convinces her superiors to let the broadcast go ahead, hoping that the final event will give the network its greatest ratings ever. 

Directed by Lumet, known for directing the pillar of cinema 12 Angry Men, Network is a black comedy on media conglomerates and their control of societal narratives, and those who fight against this control.

Starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden and Peter Finch.

Tagged with: Cinema New releases

1976 USA dir Sidney Lumot 121 min

Films can contain elements which some may find upsetting; from references to self-harm or suicide, to sexual violence or domestic abuse. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) provides guidance to audiences, to help them choose what’s right for them and avoid what’s not. For guidance, please click here and type the film title into the search bar.

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