When Does "Network" (1976) Take Place?
"Network" is a political comedy film written by Paddy Chayefsky that released November 27th, 1976. So when is "Network" set?
It takes place in the years:
We know this because very early on UBS television news reporter Howard Beale's show covers not one but two recent assassination attempts on the United States of American president Gerald R. Ford: "The first attempt on President Ford's life was 18 days ago and again yesterday in San Francisco. In spite of the two attempts, Mister Ford says he will not become a prisoner of the Oval Office-- a hostage of would-be assassins." This (remarkably) did happen in the real world on September 5th, 1975 AD and, then, on September 22nd, 1975 AD. So the movie starts in late September of 1975 AD.
1975 AD - 1976 AD
We know this because very early on UBS television news reporter Howard Beale's show covers not one but two recent assassination attempts on the United States of American president Gerald R. Ford: "The first attempt on President Ford's life was 18 days ago and again yesterday in San Francisco. In spite of the two attempts, Mister Ford says he will not become a prisoner of the Oval Office-- a hostage of would-be assassins." This (remarkably) did happen in the real world on September 5th, 1975 AD and, then, on September 22nd, 1975 AD. So the movie starts in late September of 1975 AD.
Furthermore, the unnamed omniscient narrator specifically tells us ..."on September 22nd, 1975, he was fired. Effective in 2 weeks." at the very beginning and then as the plot continues characters refer to earlier months in the summer so we know we have moved into the next calendar year, 1976 AD.
It was adapted to the stage in 2017.
