I keep coming back to this. People talk about the “Mad as hell” speech from this movie but THIS? This is the TRUE masterpiece of the film.
“Because you’re on television, dummy.” Masterfully understated.
He sold him his idelogy, his world view, his dream... and the silly man actually bought it. Truly an amazing salesman lol
“The world, is a business Mr. Beale” That line hits me every time.
In 5 minutes of screen-time, Ned Beatty - who appears only this once - completely takes control of the story and it's protagonist. He gave us the most memorable scene in a film made up of memorable scenes.
i'm sure others have made this comment already, but... quite possibly the single greatest scene in film history.
This movie should be required viewing for everyone.
Beatty was first and foremost a stage actor. He brought his immense theatrical skills to bear on this scene and laid waste to it. Easily one of the greatest film monologues of all time.
It's almost unfathomable that this speech precedes the internet by over a decade. It exactly describes our world today
It's absolutely terrifying that this scene is still so potent in 2020.
How he went from somewhat normal to bat shit maniacal to so self importantly calm. That was one of the best bits of acting I have ever seen.
He got an Oscar nomination just for this scene. I remember him saying on "Inside the Actor's Studio" that this was an example of why one should never turn down a day job.
All necessities provided, all anxieties tranquilized, all boredom...amused.
In my speech class in college we were assigned to memorize and recite/perform a monologue. I chose this one. It was something of an undertaking and I put my mind to the test but, in the end, I was proud of the job I did. And it was fun to do. Network is one of my favorite films of all time. I think it's one of the top 10 films ever in the categories of writing AND acting. This scene is my favorite scene of the film. Major praise to Paddy Chayefsky for writing it, Sidney Lumet for how he directed it, and to Ned Beatty for his astounding performance.
The cinematography of this scene is pure eye candy!
"I've seen the face of God." "You just might be right, Mr. Beale." Goosebumps.
"The world is a college of Corporations"... this script was written by a true genius!
He was a brilliant actor. RIP, Ned Beatty.
@ELCLAVE300