Network
Seen it?1976 | 122 min | Drama
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (90% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 4 Oscars, it made about 79 times its budget and people are still talking about it. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Serpico, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence.
- Made in 1976: an older pace and style.
When veteran anchorman Howard Beale is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ratings.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.8 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 4 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Actor, Academy Awards: Best Actress, Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress, Academy Awards: Best Original Screenplay. Won 4 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: Best Director – Motion Picture, Golden Globe Awards: Best Screenplay – Motion Picture. Won 1 BAFTA: British Academy Film Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Drama – Written Directly for the Screen. Won 1 PGA Award: Producers Guild of America Awards: Best Screenplay. Also nominated for 5 more Oscars, 2 more Golden Globes and 7 more BAFTAs. Plus 8 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerVery strong
$300 million worldwide on a $4 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactVery strong
About 464K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
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Serpico Friday Night FlickAlso from director Sidney Lumet, though it's a different kind of film: a critically acclaimed drama.
Nightcrawler Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
The Apprentice
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Raging Bull Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Sidney Lumet
- Faye DunawayDiana Christensen
- William HoldenMax Schumacher
- Peter FinchHoward Beale
- Robert DuvallFrank Hackett
- Wesley AddyNelson Chaney
- Ned BeattyArthur Jensen
- Arthur BurghardtGreat Ahmed Kahn
- Bill BurrowsTV Director
- John CarpenterGeorge Bosch
- Jordan CharneyHarry Hunter