Before Beale has a chance to sign off, he fires off to his viewers about the problems in the world, inspiring the network's new head of development Diana, played Faye Dunaway (Chinatown), convinces executives to exploit the emotionally unstable news anchor with his own social commentary hour.

Much to the dismay of his best friend and head of the news department Max Schumacher, played by William Holden (Sunset Boulevard) who ends up having an affair with Diana which threatens to destroy any dismal future any of them have with the network.

Holden is an example of an actor with pure control over his tools. He is one of the best actors of his time, and he only got better with age. Finch is also fun to watch in this movie, but at time he goes too far over the top. His performance, as well as Dunaway's, warranted an Academy Award®. Holden was also nominated, and I think he deserved it more. He carried more of the story and subplot.

Dunaway's performance may have been the best she's ever done, rivaling her warped character in "Chinatown."

Writer Paddy Chayefsky is the best example of a writer who emphasizes character motivations. I love his motif of people controlled by TV, contrasted against older persons who once had control over TV. "Network" was the best screenplay Chayefsky ever wrote, and it was possibly the best screenplay written in that decade.

The supporting cast is awesome including Warren Beatty as the network CEO and president and Robert Duvall as the high strung head of programming. Both were nominated for best supporting actor Oscars®.

Director Lumet's greatest strength was allowing the script's characters to rule his blocking and shot selections. Lumet is one of my favorite directors of the 1970s and would be one my favorites of the 1980s if he didn't add "The Wiz" with Michael Jackson to his list of credits.

This movie is inspiring to me as a filmmaker and began my interest in stories which examine the behind-the-scenes process of TV, movies and radio.

On a side note, Cindy Grover played Schumacher's wife, and she received the Oscar® for best supporting actress. As of today (Feb 9, 06), Grover holds the record for receiving an Academy Award® for acting for the least amount of screen time. She has a fabulous two-minute outburst in the third act, and that was all she needed to nab the award.

I adore this movie, and I think many will also. Some may say it's a little too long, and I won't argue that.