Rent Network for FREE

Start your 30 day FREE trial » Find out more

+70,000 other titles and counting

Thousands of movies and TV series to watch instantly
NO late fees or long term contracts - cancel anytime
FREE first class post for Britain’s largest range of DVDs, Blu-rays & Games

Network Reviews

1976

70
from 8209 members

A trenchant satire of trash TV, Network seems to grow only more relevant with each passing year. Howard Beale (Peter Finch), the dean of newscasters at the United Broadcasting System, is put out to pasture because he skews old. Network executive Max Schumacher (William Holden), Howard's best friend, is forced to deliver the bad .. Read more

Starring	Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Robert Duvall
Director	Sidney Lumet
Genres	Drama

Sign up Network DVD

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Critic's review of Network
View all critics' reviews (2)
- A deliberately melodramatic satire on media corruption, it is passionate and compulsively watchable in its attack on demagoguery and in its depiction of the dangerous madness exploited by the mass media. What once seemed overheated satire has come, with t
- 32189
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of Network
View all members' reviews (70)
- - 31
  - 4
  One of the best American films put to the screen.
  
  If you haven't seen this film and your reading the review, your probably wondering what this film is like. Image Fight Club, American Beauty and to a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 15216
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Belfast N. Ireland
  - 18 Aug 2004 at 20:58
Most recent members' reviews of Network
View all members' reviews (70)
- - 0
  - 1
  networked for me
  
  A very clever look into the sometimes harsh realities of the media
  
  although in essence a satirical film that in the end ironically shows itself to be... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1093308
- - angloitalian
  - 31 reviews
  - 17 Feb 2012 at 00:26
- - 0
  - 0
  A Satisfying, Perfectly Toned Satire
  
  If Charlie Brooker ever pens a screenplay, you can bet your odds on Hollyoaks winning a BAFTA it'll be a remake of this. Fans of newswipe and his most ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1080914
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - quadrophenia17
  - 7 reviews
  - 11 Jan 2012 at 23:44
- - 0
  - 0
  The genius of Lumet & Chayefsky
  
  Is this the best script ever written? Maybe, maybe not, but it certainly has to be the most prescient.
  
  Paddy Chayefsky wrote a screenplay that many ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1044871
- - zorilla
  - 140 reviews
  - Kew, Richmond
  - 25 Sep 2011 at 22:56
- - 1
  - 0
  We'll tell you anything you want to hear, we lie like hell.
  
  Excellent film with an extraordinary script that is delivered to perfection. Well directed and intensly filmed without being too clever. Despite the fact it is ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1035137
- - buffyrules
  - 202 reviews
  - southend on sea
  - 30 Aug 2011 at 15:12
- - 0
  - 0
  Watch, learn, and cry at the deterioration in cinema.
  
  Boy, do they not make them like this any more. An ensemble cast, a sharp script, taut direction… Name any borderline mainstream film (not made by the Coen ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1034680
- - Ian_Hiles
  - 47 reviews
  - 29 Aug 2011 at 12:05
- - 1
  - 0
  Murdoch would like it banned...
  
  OK, now then folks, this was made in 1975, but has as much relevance today as it did then, it is one of the all-time greats. Anyone that is not sure please ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1023901
- - a customer
  - 01 Aug 2011 at 03:37
- - 1
  - 0
  Prophetic - a work of genius!
  
  Other than Citizen Kane, I really believe that this movie stands the test of time as one of the all-time greats. Although produced in the mid-70's it is ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1016754
- - ansonort
  - 21 reviews
  - London
  - 13 Jul 2011 at 16:57
- - 1
  - 0
  More than mad as hell
  
  Howard Beale (Peter Finch) is a news reporter with failing ratings serving his two-weeks notice when he begins to have a breakdown live on TV, kicking up a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 998847
- - areelillmind
  - 2 reviews
  - 30 May 2011 at 21:09
- - 1
  - 0
  Still incredibly relevant
  
  Veteran news anchor, told he has two weeks left before being fired, says he'll kill himself on live tv, gets high ratings, TV network keep him on, becomes ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 980941
- - Bassman71
  - 460 reviews
  - Didsbury, England
  - 11 Apr 2011 at 09:10
- - 0
  - 0
  A thrillingly passionate creative satire
  
  I loved this film. I think I'm becoming a bit of a Sidney Lumet fan - Serpico, A Dog Day Afternoon and now this!
  
  I love the richness of the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 952775
- - Rakewell
  - 11 reviews
  - London
  - 11 Jan 2011 at 18:22
View all members' reviews (70)

- - 31
  - 4
  One of the best American films put to the screen.
  
  If you haven't seen this film and your reading the review, your probably wondering what this film is like. Image Fight Club, American Beauty and to a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 15216
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Belfast N. Ireland
  - 18 Aug 2004 at 20:58
- - 13
  - 2
  You may enjoy it
  
  This is one of those films that you finish watching and realise that you have watched a great film...but haven't really enjoyed it.
  
  4 stars in ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 303836
- - dannybless
  - London
  - 22 May 2004 at 10:45
- - 7
  - 0
  Astonishingly perceptive and intelligent
  
  Presenting the story of a struggling television network I can't believe that this film isn't touted by more people as being one that you should watch. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 95692
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - McClennan
  - 424 reviews
  - St Helens
  - 23 Apr 2005 at 12:02
- - 5
  - 0
  Original and almost hynoptically engaging
  
  Sidney Lumet may have had his ups and downs as a director over the years, but in the mid-70s he was on fire. He'd just made 'Serpico', 'Murder ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 55464
- - Noel Clay
  - Colchester, England
  - 24 Nov 2004 at 20:35
- - 5
  - 1
  Great film would watch...
  
  Great film would watch it again, do recommend this,although for some it may be heavy going to start, but you soon get the hang of what is going on.
  
  Report this review
- 26666
- - wayne99#1
  - GLOUCESTER
  - 09 Jan 2004 at 22:18
- - 3
  - 0
  Made in the 1970s and completely relevant today
  
  If J.G Ballard were to write about the TV industry, he would no doubt have predicted it would psychologically change people and their attitudes, probably for ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 816747
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Daniel Pollard
  - Manchester, England
  - 01 Oct 2009 at 20:39
- - 2
  - 0
  Excellent!!!
  
  The whole series is very good- a great watch!
  
  Report this review
- 177205
- - a customer
  - Bury, Lancashire
  - 22 Nov 2005 at 20:04
- - 2
  - 0
  Hollywood hammers is home
  
  It's nice to know that oscar winning films have not changed in their 'hammer it home' approach to a given topic. In the same way Crash (2004) was ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 806244
- - Chedders
  - 1 review
  - Bradford-on-Avon
  - 03 Sep 2009 at 10:54
- - 2
  - 1
  Exceptional
  
  This is possibly one of the best films I've ever seen
  
  Report this review
- 464124
- - Lisa Battisti
  - Omagh
  - 07 Aug 2007 at 15:21
- - 1
  - 0
  Watch it!
  
  That's all I've got to say. A hilarious concept and dialogue is fantastic! Considering how old it is, it's still very relevant!
  
  Report this review
- 937172
- - a customer
  - London
  - 04 Nov 2010 at 19:35

< Prev
1
2
3
4
5
...
» of 7
Next >

Critics' reviews
- A deliberately melodramatic satire on media corruption, it is passionate and compulsively watchable in its attack on demagoguery and in its depiction of the dangerous madness exploited by the mass media. What once seemed overheated satire has come, with t
- 32189
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
- Washed-up news anchorman (Finch) flips on air, finds God, and is gleefully exploited by his TV company to boost the... read more on Time Out
- 45494
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:15

Agree or disagree? Write your own review

Review title: Give it a rating:

Write your review:

Tips for writing helpful reviews

Only review titles you've actually seen!
Talk about what you liked and disliked
Compare this title with other similar titles
Provide plenty of detail - at least 20 words
Space things out - use blank lines between paragraphs.
Be appropriate - no adult content, libellous statements or naughty words
Don't SPAM! No promoting of other websites or services
Don't plaguerise! Your submission must be your own original work
Don't talk about LOVEFiLM by name

Give it a title:

Tips for an eye catching title

Don't just repeat the name of the title you're reviewing
Don't summarise your entire review in one word - a minimum of 2 words please.
Give people a reason to read your full review - create a sense of intrigue or curiosity!

Keep me anonymous Keep me anonymous Contains spoiler? This review contains spoilers (or might spoil it for someone who hasn't seen it yet)

New users register here

Email address:
Password:
Preferred user name:
I agree to LOVEFiLMs Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
I'd like to receive film news and reviews as well as info about all the other good stuff LOVEFiLM offers

Already a member? Sign in here

Email address:
Password:Forgotten password?

By clicking Preview review you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Network
  
  A trenchant satire of trash TV, Network seems to grow only more relevant with each passing year. Howard Beale (Peter Finch), the dean of newscasters at the United Broadcasting System, is put out to pasture because he skews old. Network executive Max Schumacher (William Holden), Howard's best friend,...