Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Great Scenes # 17: Network (1976)

Directed by Sidney Lumet

In many ways, Network is very much chillingly ahead of its time. No other scene illustrates this more than this scene where an executive, Arthur Jensen, brilliantly (if a bit over the top) played by Ned Beatty vents his rage on Howard Beale (Peter Finch). If you closely follow recent events from the financial disasters and the news of bought politicians in Washington, the words here are quite prophetic. This scene though relatively brief earned Ned  Beatty a well-deserved Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.

14 comments:

The Angry Lurker said...

I'd forgotten this scene....a great actor!

Mark said...

That was a very good, if slightly over the top like you said, scene.

Anonymous said...

Really nice scene with great actors!

Sub Radar (Mike) said...

Hauntingly accurate and brilliantly acted, over the top is almost necessary in this scene.

Bart said...

i actually saw a few parts of this movie, pretty cool.

R said...

Love that scene!

Anonymous said...

That was good!

Bersercules said...

I only watched the first half of the movie so I didn't wanna watch this video incase it gave stuff away! I'm gonna finish the movie soon! Its such a great film! I can see why its #17 on your list!

Anonymous said...

Me gusta.

MRanthrope said...

I still like the famous "Mad As Hell" scene more but agree, another powerful clip from this amazing film. It's one of P.T. Anderson's favorites and he apparently made the entire cast/crew of Magnolia set down and study Network.

Damon said...

exellente scene what more we can expected coming from great actors right? nice post =)

msmariah said...

Peter Finch was so freaking awesome in that movie. No words.

Outcast said...

This is an amazing scene mate, wow just wow! Absolutely chilling performance.

Anonymous said...

Pretty sad that I've never watched any of these "classics" or "MUST SEE MOVIES".

I will soon rectify that soon however.