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NETWORK is a satirical film released in 1976 that portrays the dark side of the television network corporate landscape--depicting its attempts to exploit a deranged former anchor’s realizations about the media. In a lot of ways, the film connects to contemporary issues in American culture, politics, and media. This file looks at these themes through one particular scene.
Introduction: Classic and Prescient Drama.
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What do you think is the significance of the rain in this scene? What might it symbolize?
Question 1: Significance of Rain Scene
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The rainy day shot could be interpreted as a "storm brewing"--moments prior to Beale’s famous televised speech, when he is shown walking in the rain. Howard strides into the UBS building soaking wet, in his pajamas, rambling incoherent gibberish--he looks like he has completely gone mad. Furthermore, the roaring thunder makes the people yelling “mad as hell” sound powerful and threatening. What begins with just a couple of people on a balcony yelling, spreads across the entire neighborhood, echoing the chant. Thus, people are being urged to step outside of their comfort zones and confront the real world.
Answer 1: Significance of Rain Scene
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Why do you think Diana smiles during Howard Beale’s speech? What does her smile suggest about her character? And what does her smile suggest about the film’s overall tone?
Question 2: Diane’s Smile and Overall Tone of Film
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She smiles because she sees Beale’s shocking speech as a way to stimulate ratings and to move up within UBS. As the only female character in power at the network, her pursuit of ratings implies the historical struggle of women within the American TV industry. If we take Diana as a representative of this industry, her gleeful reaction to Beale’s rant suggests the industry’s attraction to sensationalism. In terms of the film’s overall tone, her endorsement of Beale’s erratic behavior speaks to a sense of cynicism.
Answer 2: Diane’s Smile and Overall Tone of Film
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How can we read Beale’s portrayal in this scene through his theatrics and the visual composition of the shots?
Question 3: Visual Composition of Shots
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The gradual close-up of Beale’s face, releasing pent-up frustration during his speech, heightens the scene’s tension toward the big moment when he urges his audience to get up and scream that they’re “not gonna take it anymore.” Suddenly, he rises, moving away from the anchor desk. A producer in the studio instructs the camera operator to follow Beale, underscoring Beale’s power over the situation. On the surface, Beale’s language and gesticulations during the delivery of his speech make him appear as a raving lunatic. However, this scene suggests that although he may not be in control of his own mind, he is in control of the TV medium.
Answer 3: Visual Composition of Shots
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What are some similarities of virality, or the spread of information, between the 1970s TV landscape in the United States and today’s Internet-driven American news media?
Question 4: Virality in 1970s Compared to Present Day Media
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The term “virality” refers to the capability for information to rapidly spread among audiences across media. In this scene, Beale’s repeated phrase “I’m mad as Hell” catches on among audiences. In contrast to the 1970s, content today spreads virally through not just TV but also through newer media like the Internet and social networks. Because of this, content today delivered through only a single platform like TV might reach a smaller audience, but the integration of multiple platforms (e.g., the Internet, social networks) allows for larger audience reach.
Answer 4: Virality in 1970s Compared to Present Day Media
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In what ways can Howard Beale’s speech be interpreted as a form of populism?
Question 5: Populism in Beale’s Speech
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Crowds of people are actively responding to his speech, following his instructions to voice their rage, stand up, and yell back. They want to be included in the fight against political inequality and institutional authority.
Answer 5: Populism in Beale’s Speech
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How is the overarching theme of TV’s power and influence on society tackled in this scene?
Question 6: TV’s Power and Influence on Society
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This scene isn’t just about an anchorman going insane—this is about an anchorman who is exposing the TV industry, particularly its cynical side that has been concealed from the public for so long. The damage to UBS and to the larger TV industry is rather managed, however, and arguably advantageous, because it yields higher ratings for the network, from which to profit.
Answer 6: TV’s Power and Influence on Society
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In viewing this scene, what strikes you as markedly different from the contemporary media landscape?
Question 7: Contemporary Media Landscape
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Although TV networks still exert some influence over consumers, the rise of the Internet and social media has worked to displace this influence, especially in terms of how people receive their news today. News media has become more pervasive and instantaneous today, with the rise of the 24-hour TV news cycle that has expanded to the Internet in general and social media in particular.
Answer 7: Contemporary Media Landscape
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How does this scene still resonate in terms of the contemporary political and cultural situation?
Question 8: Contemporary Political and Cultural Landscape
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Beale’s influence over the population forecasts the rise of populism in politics and the media landscape. The fear of “outsiders” taking over, for instance, is a common theme in Beale’s speech, just as calls for immigration vetting are a common theme among populist politicians.
Answer 8: Contemporary Political and Cultural Landscape
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After observing the scene, what factors suggest the reasons for country’s economic distress in the world of the film?
Question 9: Country’s Economic State Within the Film
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A news segment regarding OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) prior to the “Mad as Hell” speech hints that the prices of oil are increasing due to decreasing production. The resulting economic recession is causing people to feel unhappy and powerless. During the speech Beale refers to inflation and “the Russians,” speaking to people’s fear that the outside world is causing the economic problems within the United States. Beale’s rant encourages the audience to rally with him.
Answer 9: Country’s Economic State Within the Film