Network is a film ahead of its time and the message is more apt today than ever before. Beyond that, the performances are all excellent to go along with sharp dialogue and solid direction from Sidney Lumet.
Network
— The Criterion Collection —
(1976)
Genre(s): Drama
Criterion Collection | R – 121 min. – $49.95 | February 24, 2026
Date Published: 03/16/2026 | Author: The Movieman
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Criterion Collection provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.
THE MOVIE — 4½/5 |
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Plot synopsis: Veteran news anchorman Howard Beale (PETER FINCH) discovers that he’s being put out to pasture, and he’s none too happy about it. After threatening to shoot himself on live television, instead he launches into an angry televised rant, which turns out to be a huge ratings boost for the UBS network. This stunt allows ambitious producer Diana Christensen (FAYE DUNAWAY) to develop even more outrageous programming, a concept that she takes to unsettling extremes. Quick Hit Review: Network, released 50 years ago, is as relevant today as it ever has been, especially with new media. I’ve seen this one a few times over the years and it still is a fantastic drama featuring incredible performances all around, none better than Peter Finch and his iconic “mad as hell” speech, for which he received the Academy Award, posthumously. Not to be outdone, both Faye Dunaway and Robert Duvall are each fantastic in their roles, Dunaway received the Best Actress award. The film was directed by the venerable Sidney Lumet and was his follow-up to Dog Day Afternoon and he manages to keep this drama-centric film that has a lot of internal division takeovers very much tense and with great energy, making this well paced through its two hour running time. It never feels like it drags and kept my attention from beginning to end, mostly though the greatly crafted characters by screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky, who took home the Best Original Screenplay Oscar. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 4½/5 |
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This two-disc set is contained in Criterion’s clear HD keep case with the discs overlapping each other. Also inside is a foldout booklet. Audio Commentary — Direct Sidney Lumet recorded in 2006. The late filmmaker takes us through the stories from the set and working with the cast. The Making of Network (1:25:31) — This is a 6-part documentary produced in 2006 and guides us through the entire process from screenplay to casting to the different designs. Includes interviews with Lumet, Dunaway and others. Paddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words (1:29:01) — Documentary on the writer and includes interviews with James L. Brooks, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Sorkin, Jason Alexander, Jeff Daniels , Mel Brooks and Oliver Stone amongst others. Trailer (2:59) |
4K ULTRA HD VIDEO – 5/5, BLU-RAY REVIEW – 5/5 |
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The Criterion Collection releases Network debuting on 4K Ultra HD and is shown in its original theatrical 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio. The 2160p transfer was taken from the 35 mm original camera negative with a 35 mm print provided by Warner Bros. was used as a color reference. These 4K transfers from 1970s films do show off the more tans and grays of that era so might not lend to bright, vibrant colors, yet the detail on this was great and there were no apparent signs of artifacts or dust specs. This is probably a great upgrade over the older Blu-ray. |
AUDIO – 4/5 |
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The disc includes a PCM Mono track that was remastered from the 35 mm magnetic track. As I mentioned, this is a dialogue heavy film and as such, dialogue does come across with good clarity and no apparent muffles or other aural flaws. |
OVERALL — 4½/5 |
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Overall, Network is a film ahead of its time and the message is more apt today than ever before. Beyond that, the performances are all excellent to go along with sharp dialogue and solid direction from Sidney Lumet. |