MovieChat Forums > Network (1976) Discussion > should this film have beaten "Rocky" at ...

should this film have beaten "Rocky" at the Oscars?


After all, its director was Sidney Lumet, who - like other directors inside and outside Hollywood - was nominated several times, but never won. And it is worth arguing that it is more serious than "Rocky".

As for Lumet, his next film after this was "Equus", which should have earned Richard Burton his only Oscar (out of seven nominations) - but alas, the Welsh legend lost out to American Richard Dreyfuss for "The Goodbye Girl".

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Yes.

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Maybe back in 1976, yes, it was more relevant. Today, in a long term thinking, no. Rocky is the better movie.


"You keep him in here, and make sure HE doesn't leave!"

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I agree with this statement. In 2016 I'd recommend Rocky over Network.

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Yes.

My real name is Jeff

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Hell yes, "Network" should have beaten "Rocky". It is a work of prescient genius. With some great laughs and about a dozen superb performances. "Taxi Driver" should have beaten "Rocky". "All The President's Men" should have beaten "Rocky". "Marathon Man" should have beaten "Rocky". "The Bad News Bears" should have beaten "Rocky".

"Rocky" is a sweet movie about an underdog written by an underdog turned success and that appealed to the Academy. But, as you can tell, I find it to be a tad overrated.

I slept with you and you're in love with my husband. What the hell am I supposed to do with that?

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Absolutely

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Every other nominee should have beaten Rocky.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074958/

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Yes! Network was more serious and told the truth about what was happening--or what was about to happen. Considering the subject matter, it absolutely should have won Best Picture. But AMPAS. . . You know how they are: always wanting to avoid controversy or uncomfortable topics. So they awarded 1976's top prize to a film about a boxer who doesn't amount to much but always tries. Very safe and very uncontroversial. Just the kind of stuff the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences likes.

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I would have voted for "Network." But "Taxi Driver," "Rocky," "All the President's Men" and "Bound for Glory" were powerful competition. The first four are all on AFI's Top 100 Films.

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It was a great year for films. Yes Network deserved the award, Taxi Driver would be the closest argument. It's a shame we don't have films like this today.

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