Released in 1976, Sidney Lumet’s “Network” remains a thought-provoking satirical drama that delves into the intricate workings of the power of media and the dark side of sensationalism. The film follows the life of seasoned news anchor, Howard Beale (Peter Finch), who spirals into madness and threatens to commit suicide on live television, due to his termination notice. This unprecedented outburst transforms him into a ratings sensation, which in turn, leads the network to begin to cash in and exploit his rants for viewership. Behind the scenes, ruthless network executives led by Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway), exploit the TV anchor’s deteriorating mental state in order to advance their own agendas and careers. “Network”is a cinematic masterpiece that introduces a chilling exploration of corporate greed and manipulation in the media industry.
Locations:
- The backdrop for this gripping drama is the iconic city of New York, which not only serves as a setting, but also contributes to the film’s bustling atmosphere.
- The scene where the network executives of UBS meet with affiliates was shot in the Plaza Hotel, located at 750 5th Avenue and Central Park South, Manhattan.
- The exterior of the film’s ‘UBS’ TV station was shot at the MGM Building, located at 1350 6th Avenue and West 55th Street, Manhattan.
- A few scenes in the film were shot at the New York Public Library, located at 5th Avenue (btw 40th and 42nd Streets) Manhattan.
Interesting Facts:
- Beatrice Straight, who plays, appears on-screen for only five minutes and two seconds. Her performance was the shortest ever to win an Oscar award.
- Faye Dunaway, who stars as Diana Christensen, was almost fired due to struggling with her monologues.
- Much of the film’s television studio scenes were shot in Toronto, Canada, as opposed to filming mostly in New York City, New York.