'The World is a Corporation' (Network, 1976)

[theradhatter]

Thing I love about this: He's standing in the light telling the truth, and then he steps into the darkness and starts to lie...

[Megaghost_]

Whoever wrote that line of dialogue in 1976 was a genius. It perfectly portrayed the world to come: globalization, neoliberalism, consumer culture, corporatocracy, manufactured consent, the commodification of everything on the surface of the earth, the destruction of the individual, the fall of ideologies and the postmodern condition. It shivers my spine everytime I watch this scene.

[Pseudowolf]

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.

[tripslft]

“Because you’re on television, dummy.” Masterfully understated.

[thatcanadian]

This movie should be required viewing for everyone.

[CaptainDoomsday]

It's absolutely terrifying that this scene is still so potent in 2020.

[sisu]

It's almost unfathomable that this speech precedes the internet by over a decade. It exactly describes our world today

[joaovitorreisdasilva]

He sold him his idelogy, his world view, his dream... and the silly man actually bought it. Truly an amazing salesman lol

[dlazo]

“The world, is a business Mr. Beale”

That line hits me every time.

[jsharp]

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.

[holymackerelthethird]

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.

[jasonhuffman]

All necessities provided, all anxieties tranquilized, all boredom...amused.

[foodbuddy]

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.

[returnearthvideochannel]

"The world is a college of Corporations"... this script was written by a true genius!

[chrismacdonald]

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.

[starkingbiker]

Back when Hollywood had balls and studios supported these ideas. Incredible. Hard facts.

[aMulliganStew]

The cinematography of this scene is pure eye candy!

[galexeqe]

3:18 "Am I getting through to you Mr Beal?"
Love that transition from ultimate anger to genial concern

[paulcasali]

He was a brilliant actor. RIP, Ned Beatty.

[crowtcameron]

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.