Filmmaker reacts to Network (1976) for the FIRST TIME 

"I'm a human being, goddammit! My life has value!" Such an amazing line and delivery!

“I’m mad as Hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!!!!” Such a iconic line, such a great movie!!

This is one of the films that will be ageless. It SCARILY predicts the world we are in today and it doesn’t budge from that. One of the best films and screenplays ever.

It’s sad that this movie is more relevant now than ever before. P.S. my dad regularly says “now say ‘I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!’” Whenever I’m telling him about something that frustrates me 😆 basically for my whole life, before I even saw the movie.

It's worth mentioning that, while Howard Beale's plan of committing suicide by gun live on the air really sounds purely like the stuff of an exaggerated farcical satire, it sadly had some _actual_ real-life precedent. In 1974, only a few years prior to this movie being released, a 29-year news reporter named Christine Chubbuck, while working for WXLT-TV in Sarasota, Florida, actually did commit suicide on a live broadcast by shooting herself. She had a history of depression and suicidal ideation before that, including a previous attempted drug overdose, but she had concealed her psychiatric history from WXLT management due to fears that it would be grounds for them to fire her from her job.

Take that speech about how ‘the tube’ rules their lives, and replace it with ‘the internet’, or ‘social media’, and you’ll see how timeless that brilliant soliloquy truly is.

What a coincidence i rewatched this last night as it just got added to HBO max. Classic film! It was seen at the time as an outrageous but important over exaggerated critique of journalism practices but now it’s very real.

You are KILLING it with the underrated classics. I remember watching this for the first time in the early 2000s and was blown away how applicable it still was. Thanks for the great reactions!

This movie was WAY ahead of its time.

Great flick. If you're taken by Faye Dunaway's performances, you must see Bonnie and Clyde (1967). She plays Bonnie Parker opposite of Warren Beaty's Clyde. A great film. Not entirely historically accurate, but works well on it's own terms.

"There's nothing left in you I can live with." Such a crushing line - this is one of (and to me, #1) the best written films ever, elevating larger themes while pushing each characters' emotional journey with a steady cadence and dynamic conflicts.

The Ned Beatty speech was a "scene stealer" in a timeless classic. God bless!

Peter Finch won an Oscar posthumously and was the first actor won it posthumously and Faye Dunaway won her Oscar too. William Holden was also nominated and Beatrice Straight won an Oscar after being in the full for like 5 minutes the shortest in Oscar history.

Simply one of the greatest comedies ever written. I was lucky enough to see Bryan Cranston play Howard Beale in the Broadway adaptation of Network and he definitely deserved the Tony award that he won for it. Paddy Chayefsky was a genius!

Sidney Lumet was an absolute genius as a director. 12 Angry men, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico and The Network, still stand tall as some of the finest cinema ever produced. He was the actors director as they call him, helping many actors win awards for performances. He was the kind of director who understood acting, and thus actors felt really comfortable working with him (he was also very open for suggestions from his actors, and even if he turned down the idea, he did it in a very polite way). Rehersal was also a thing he really believed in. He didn't just have his actors come to the set and read the lines. He had them play the entire movie out during weeks of rehersal, which in turn, made the actors very familiar with their part and character arc (he even had the cameramen figure out the blocking during the rehersal, so when they got go filming, everyone knew what they were doing). But despite this, he loved improvisation, method acting, and every other happy accident that happens on set. Basically, one can learn a lot from him as a director. I love reading and watching about his way of making films. "While the goal of all movies is to entertain, the kind of film in which I believe goes one step further. It compels the spectator to examine one facet or another of his own conscience. It stimulates thought and sets the mental juices flowing." -Sidney Lumet

This and Andy Griffith in "A Face In The Crowd" are so prophetic.

It was a goddamned crime that Ned Beatty didn't get the Academy Award for that speech. Also, every award they gave to Rocky should have been given to this film.

Network is one of those movies that seems to get more relevant as time goes on. You got evil corporate conglomerates, viral sensations, the public's anger and frustration with the state of the world being twisted around so somebody can profit from it. It's amazing. It makes me wonder if this movie was way ahead of its time, or if things really have been this bad all along and we just keep forgetting that fact.

The best picture nominees that year were this film, Bound for Glory, Taxi Driver, All the President’s Men and Rocky which won. Incredible year for films.👍

“I have seen the face of God!” “You just might be right, Mr. Beale.” It’s kind of unsettling how relevant this movie is today.

So much brilliance in this movie. Stellar performances from Holden, Dunaway, Finch, Beatty, and Duvall. And the writing from Paddy Chayefsky, and Sidney Lumet's direction. It's a subject that is timeless as evidenced by how many people see it as relevant even today, 46 years later.

The amazing thing about Network is that when it came out, it was a cautionary tale. It was everything wrong with the news taken to a ridiculous extreme. If feel that when younger people look at this, they see how terrible it is, but they don't know that things were ever different. I remember one day when I was a teenager, CBS took its news division and folded it under its entertainment division. The headline in the Daily News said something like "Bad Day at Black Rock." It seemed like a pivotal moment in news history when there was not even a pretention of integrity left in the news industry.

Peter Finch won the Oscar, posthumously, for this role. The whole movie took lots of Oscars that year. Great film! Have you watched the movie A Face in the Crowd? Great acting from Andy Griffith in his first acting role too!!

This film just keeps throwing punches. All-star cast, one of the greatest screenplays ever written. Timeless.

"YOU HAVE MEDDLED WITH THE PRIMAL FORCES OF NATURE, MR. BEALE...AND YOU WILL ATONE!!!" Magnificently chilling...

Faye Dunaway. Anything she's in is worth watching. This was one of her best . And yes Robert Duvall is a quite a legend. Which brings me to what I hope is in the Reaction plans for this channel. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the greatest film of all time. The Godfather. The name says it all. A cinematic masterpiece of all masterpieces. Don Corleone advises it's an, "offer you can't refuse"

I think you're hyper-aware of Faye Dunaway's mannerisms and performance because she does such a 180 from her character in Chinatown. She's one of the true film acting greats, with so much range and fully realized performances.

One Of my favorites. Works great as a double feature with the 1957 classic “A Face In The Crowd”

You're reacting to my favorite screenplay of all time. I cannot tell you how happy I am to see this! My favorite line of dialogue is about how suicides and murder shows would wipe Disney off the air on Sundays. Honestly the only thing that hasn't come true in this movie (that we know of) is the media assassinating a man on the air due to lousy ratings.

Absolutely fantastic film. Posted on the day that Jeff Zucker resigns in disgrace from CNN as well lol

You should watch Sidney Lumet's final film, Before The Devil Knows You're Dead. It's darn intense.

My favorite Faye Dunaway character was opposite Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair. She's still working now, as far as I know. And William Holden, Peter Finch, and everyone else involved. Every award this movie received was so well deserved.

My favorite fact about this film is that Beatrice Straight, who played William Holden's wife, won an Oscar for this movie. To this day, she holds the record for least amount of screen time for any acting Oscar. And completely deserved. She takes Chayevsky's epic words and just goes full monster on them. One of the most deserved Oscar wins ever.

The writer, Paddy Chayefsky, was a true prophetic genius and Network was his master work. The scene with the wife is so real, so grounded, and so powerful, it totally illuminates all of the madness going on in the rest of the story. Pure storytelling genies, and the dialogue - wow, just wow!

The satiric brilliance of Faye Dunaway’s character is that she never turns off. It’s both compelling and exhausting.

And there we have it. One of the best films ever made.

I saw this movie as teenager in a movietheater. I am so grateful there were people, who were making these kinds wonderful works of depth for young people like me to see. The director is of course the same one, who directed "12 Angry Men", Sidney Lumet. Other deep (and sometimes heavy) masterpieces by him starting from the best: 1) The Verdict 1982, 2) Running on Empty 1988 3) Serpico 1973 4) The Hill 1965 5) Dog Day Afternoon 1975 (6) Deathtrap 1982 7)Murder on the Orient Express 1974)

An excellent and important film; there's so much in this 70s film that is relevant right now, with the way corporations, news media, government and hidden interests are all manipulating us and destroying our connections and compassion for one another.

This film is a classic that'll live forever. Great reaction bro! Others have reacted to this film. But, you know. Hopefully, the popularity of your channel will get this film the love and exposure that it deserves.

Paddy Cheyefsky and Sidney Lumet insisted that the movie is NOT a satire. Rather, it was a cautionary tale of where they saw television was headed.

I forgot how utterly brilliant this movie is. I loved it, but I didn't understand the total gravity of it when I watched it at 18. Loved your reaction and I'll be sitting down with this one again soon.

Such a prophetic movie, considering it came out in 1976. Predicts the direction and quality of the news media. The screenplay is a work of genius. The writer was on the set and made sure his words were said by the actors. No ad libs! I think he got his point across. Wow.

Every inch of this film is perfection. Incredible cast and they all pull their weight. The William Holden Faye Dunaway breakup is in my opinion the best breakup scene in film.

William Holdern , Stalag 17, Sunset Blvd, The Wild Bunch, The Bridge on the River Kwai, a great actor in great movies.

Max's breakup speech to Diana is pure brilliance- now swap out the TV for social media and it would still hold up. This film is decades and decades ahead of its time.

The Ned Beatty speech is an absolute Go-To. It's Chayefsky at his best, explaining the central conceit of the work, showing what's been going on since the beginning of "Mass Media", and what can be expected as information is further weaponized in service to the same old petty ambitions of small men bent on conquest and dominance. This is a great movie, and I like your takes on the various dynamics of the Max and Diana characters representing a kind of Past vs Future thing, where Max is the historical ideal and Diana is the current reality. I hadn't considered that. Good work.

Lumet is in my opinion the most underrated director in film history!! I love his gritty, street level New York aesthetic mixed with his universal themes of institutionalism vs individuality. He's a master director and his Murderers Row of great films is amongst the greatest: Network, 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, The Verdict, and Before the Devil Knows Your Dead.

Faye Dunaway is also great in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde

I love the variety of movies that you cover.

Dude, I had to rewatch this reaction just because I was so in the mood to see a reaction to it......and you are one of only three reactors who have tackled it! Which is inconceivable to me! Especially when it's one of your earlier reactions.....you obviously knew to hit it! Great commentary on this one; it is even more true today than it was then. Stuff that came out in the recent Fox News court case really resonated watching it this time around. Amazing movie, fantastic reaction. THANKS, JAMES!

One of my favourite ever films, it will always be relevant. One of the best ever screenplays

I first watched this movie shortly before lockdown started, early 2020 or late 2019, and it immediately became one of my top 10 favorite movies ever. There's good reason it was nominated for and won so many oscars. I love seeing other people discover it, too.

On of the most prophetic movies ever made. So sad how truer its become over time. This film should be shown in schools. Also every monologue in this movie is just dynamite from both writing and acting POV's, definitely great audition pieces for an actor

This film is so underrated. Rich with the foibles and philosophy of human existence. Ned Beatty lecturing Peter Finch in the boardroom about the reality of life is one of the most memorable scenes in film history. Not to mention "I'm mad as hell!"

5 acting nominations and they still easily could've given one to Robert Duvall. Incredible cast

Some fact to Peter Finch the great actor who played Howard Beale. He was on a promotional tour for "Network". After he appeared on "The Tonight Show" on January 13th 1977, he had a heart attack the next day in the lobby of the Beverley Hills Hotel, and died with 60 on Jan. 14th 1977. Peter Finch was nominated for his role in "Network" and he was the first actor to be a posthumous Oscar winner. Howard Beale was his last movie role. He started 1935 in films and I think he could had many years more.

YES! This is the one I've been waiting for. I can count on one hand, and still have fingers left over, the film reactors that add enough depth and commentary that this film needs (not that there's anything wrong with those who just provide an entertainment value), and you are definitely one of them.

I was so excited to see this reaction hit my notifications! This is one of my favorite movies. Its message is powerful and timeless. Not too many reactors have watched this, I'm so happy you got to it. Wonderful and insightful commentary as well.

Haha, I just voted for this twice in your new poll. That was fast! One of my top ten favorite films, and the first film that made me realize at a young age that movies could be "about" something and have a bigger meaning than just for entertainment. That scene with Ned Beatty in the conference rooms where he predicts that corporations are going to be the new countries ... I mean, this came out 46 years ago!

All star satire by an all star lineup. Yes, Faye Dunaway was in Chinatown. She was also in Bonnie and Clyde, the original Thomas Crown Affair and in Three Days of the Condor with Robert Redford. Three Days is a great political thriller that I highly recommend. Great reaction above everyone else.👍👍

This movie has some of the best monologues ever

This movie was inspired by a real life incident that happened in 1974. A news reporter named Christine Chubbuck committed suicide live on air at a local news station in Florida. Chubbuck was not only severely depressed, but also hated what she called "blood and guts" journalism. The philosophy of "if it bleeds, it leads". To this day the footage of her suicide remains under lock and key.

Another one of the best films ever made. Amazing cast! The screenplay is perfection. You've really hit some the best movies over that last few months. It's exciting experiencing your reactions to some of my favorites.

Network is such a damn good film.

Nice. Now you're hitting the heavyweights. Paddy Chayefsky's screenplay is among the best ever written. If you dig this classic, hit: 👉 Elia Kazan's _A Face In The Crowd_ (1956) - equally prescient, it's the _Network_ of the 1950s & one of the greatest American films ever made. 👉 Spike's _Malcolm X_ (1992) - the epic, essential masterpiece.

This was HBO's first movie they aired. Irony??? The acting was superb on all levels!!!

Man,I discovered this channel recently and now I am addicted. Keep up doing the great job 💙

This movie is the very visual depiction of "Manufacturing Consent".

One of the best films ever that manages to still ring true to this day.

This is EXCELLENT! Just watched this yesterday. You are legit!

I was not facng the screen when I heard, "Is that the chick from Chinatown?" My head swung around thinking, is he talking about Faye Dunaway? and started laughing. Later, something like "That guy's acting is amazing." Robert Duval? More chuckles. This is a cast of some of the most respected actors of the time...and earlier. I know you did this 9 months ago and will both probably not see this comment and are probably more knowledgable now about these actors careers, but I encourage you as a filmaker to look into the work of the cast of this film, especially, but not limited to Faye Dunaway and Robert Duvall.

That actress is Faye Dunaway. She was a model too.

I first saw this in the mid 90's and it hit me hard and I remember thinking damn this was made 20 years ago? They had it nailed. Sidney Lumet made it right around the time when Jaws was blowing up the box office as the first summer blockbuster. You can tell Lumet was old school and his mastery pours out. The movie relys on no tricks, no stunts, just expert acting and honest dialogue. brilliant film one of my all time greats but a movie I understand many wont appreciate

There's an obscure Japanese film from the 50's called Giants And Toys (recently released on blu-ray) that's somewhat of a far cousin of this film. You wouldn't believe how relevant that film still is. Amazing stuff, i recommend checking it out. Oh, Network was a great choice, of course.

Ned Beatty's monologue is hands down one of the greatest in all of film history.

Oh HOLY S&%$ - I haven't even watched the reaction and am so happy that you are watching this GREAT movie! More relevant today than ever. Screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky, one of the best screenwriters ever.

That actor going off is Robert Duvall who played boo radley in To kill a mockingbird, and he played a general in Apocalypse now, and he played the mob attorney Tom in the Godfather series

Beatrice Straight won the best supporting actress Oscar for her one scene. And Ned Beatty was nominated for best supporting actor for his one scene.

Brilliant script, excellent acting all-around, and an astoundingly prophetic film

"You have meddled with the primal forces of nature, Mr. Beale, and I won't have it!!!"

Gold.. regularly overlooked. Great picture of the culture settling into it's new institutions following the 60's civil rights. Great parable for the internet age. Also a great analogy of the forces at work in the Trump era. There's a great era of rich, experimental film making of a distinct style from 69-75 that has never been re-created. Another from this era is "3 Days of the Condor", Robert Redford at his acting peak, Faye Dunaway... powerful.

The first episode of Better Call Saul shows Jimmy doing the primal forces dialog. It's an amazing call back to this great movie.

The scene of the people screaming out of the window is basically social media

I truly love watching you James!

Congrats on such a fun channel, James. I really enjoy seeing you develop as a communicator and interpreter. The sad thing about this movie is how real it is. Everyday real people on TV are treated as characters. It removes their humanity. It has gotten to the point where even children are being mocked, ridiculed, and hated, rather than given any actual compassion. So many times where reality and entertainment have been blurred. Anyways, thanks for your stuff.

About every five years or so, I forget that Network was nominated alongside Rocky and Taxi Driver and forget why it didn't win Best Picture. And then I watch all three again and I'm conflicted all over again. It is my very favorite curse.

Nice!!! Definitely in my top five of the 70s.....or maybe ever! Lumet also directed "Dog Day Afternoon" and "12 Angry Men". Faye Dunaway's third (and probably most) iconic role is Bonnie in "Bonnie & Clyde", a must-see eventually!!!! Happy you got this brilliant movie; at the time, it seemed more cartoonish, like a joke. It's scary how true it became, especially with cable news where you have these "opinion" people in prime time who come out of the entertainment division, as opposed to news division. SAME YEAR, the flip side of this coin: "All The President's Men", about the two reporters who uncovered the Watergate scandal. If "Network" is the best movie about the corporate broadcasting, "All The President's Men" is the greatest movie about investigative journalism. Which is as relevant a theme for now as "Network". Definitely check that one out. PS: Another very good movie on this theme: "Broadcast News" from the 80s, with William Hurt, Holly Hunter and Jack Nicholson.

Masterpiece Level indeed!! Love this movie. Great reaction. This, and The Big Short, both gave me a new perspective and changed my life for the better!!

YES! I've been waiting for a reaction to this movie ever since I got into watching movie reaction videos.

Was so excited to see you react to this, one of my favorite movies. The 'mad as hell' and 'world is a business' scenes are two of the best I've ever seen. There's a great book on the making of it, 'Mad as Hell' which gives the background of the screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky, who was very much borrowing from his own experiences in television

No way! I literally just finished watching this movie.

I LOVE this film! I'm so glad you dug it~! It's so amazing! Thank you

To this day, Ned Beatty's speech gives me chills.

So glad that you reacted to this. One of my favorite films, and though TV has lost some of its power to the 'net streams, the core of its messages are still potent and pertinent. Every part of this film is on point, but the writing, in particular, stands out to me as something colossal and great.

Another great film in this vein is Michael Mann's The Insider. It deals with similar themes about the corporatization of the media, and how ratings became more important than the news.

Thank you for giving some light to this film. The screenplay, which was written by Paddy Chayefsky and won an Oscar, is one of the great ones. As you point out, it holds up in 2022 as sharp satire.

I was wondering who would cover this one first, you or Brandon. I think this movie gets better and better over time as news becomes a mockery of itself.

“Is that the chick from Chinatown?” You mean Oscar winner Faye Dunaway!😂😂

Haven't thought of this pic in years. It's still a hot movie, how corporate media, which is much more influential now than it was in 1976, runs us. Since you like Faye Dunaway, you'll enjoy Bonnie And Clyde.

Faye Dunaway won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in this movie and Peter Finch won for Best Actor.