Network
When veteran anchorman Howard Beale is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ratings.
Despite its small-scale budget of $3.8M, Network became a runaway success, earning $23.7M worldwide—a remarkable 524% return. The film's bold vision attracted moviegoers, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Network (1976) reveals strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Sidney Lumet's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 2 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Howard Beale, veteran news anchor, learns he's being fired due to low ratings. His world of professional respect and dignity is collapsing.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Howard announces on-air that he will commit suicide on next Tuesday's broadcast, creating a scandal that disrupts the network and everyone's careers.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Max is fired from the network for opposing the corporate takeover, losing everything he built over 25 years. His old world dies completely., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Network executives decide Howard has become bad for business and must be eliminated. The corporation chooses murder as a programming decision, the ultimate dehumanization., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Network's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Network against these established plot points, we can identify how Sidney Lumet utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Network within the drama genre.
Sidney Lumet's Structural Approach
Among the 15 Sidney Lumet films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Network takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sidney Lumet filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Sidney Lumet analyses, see Guilty as Sin, Dog Day Afternoon and Murder on the Orient Express.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Howard Beale, veteran news anchor, learns he's being fired due to low ratings. His world of professional respect and dignity is collapsing.
Theme
Max Schumacher discusses the dehumanization of television and how everything is turning into entertainment rather than truth, foreshadowing the film's central question about integrity versus spectacle.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of UBS network hierarchy, the friendship between Howard and Max, the declining ratings, network politics, and introduction of ambitious programmer Diana Christensen.
Disruption
Howard announces on-air that he will commit suicide on next Tuesday's broadcast, creating a scandal that disrupts the network and everyone's careers.
Resistance
Network executives debate what to do with Howard. Max tries to control the damage while Diana sees opportunity. Howard is given one last broadcast to apologize and say goodbye properly.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The Howard Beale show becomes a massive hit. Diana develops radical programming. The network exploits madness for profit. Max is torn between old ethics and new relationship.
Opposition
Corporate forces close in. Howard threatens a Saudi Arabian deal. Max's marriage dissolves. Diana's ambition becomes monstrous. The network's humanity erodes as everything becomes product.
Collapse
Max is fired from the network for opposing the corporate takeover, losing everything he built over 25 years. His old world dies completely.
Crisis
Max confronts the emptiness of his affair with Diana, realizing she is incapable of human feeling. Howard's ratings fall. The dark night before the final decision.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Network executives decide Howard has become bad for business and must be eliminated. The corporation chooses murder as a programming decision, the ultimate dehumanization.
Synthesis
The assassination is planned and executed. Howard is killed on live television by hired terrorists, turning even murder into entertainment content for ratings.
Transformation
Narration coldly states Howard Beale was the first known instance of a man killed because of bad ratings, cementing the complete victory of dehumanized corporate entertainment.