"Good Night, And, Good Luck." takes place during the early days of broadcast journalism in 1950's America. It chronicles the real-life conflict between television newsman Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee. With a desire to report the facts and enlighten the public, Murrow, and his dedicated staff - headed by his producer Fred Friendly and Joe Wershba in the CBS newsroom - defy corporate and sponsorship pressures to examine the lies and scaremongering tactics perpetrated by McCarthy during his communist 'witch-hunts'. A very public feud develops when the Senator responds by accusing the anchor of being a communist. In this climate of fear and reprisal, the CBS crew carries on and their tenacity will prove historic and monumental.
DVD Features: Audio Commentary:with George Clooney and Grant Heslov Documentary:Good Night, and Good Luck companion piece Theatrical Trailer
Without force-feeding its timely message, Good Night, and Good Luck illuminates history to enlighten our present, when the need for a free and independent press is more important than ever. In 90 breathtaking minutes of efficient and intricate storytelling, writer-director George Clooney and cowriter Grant Heslov pay honorable tribute to the journalistic integrity of legendary CBS newscaster Edward R. Murrow, who confronted the virulent and overzealous anti-Communist witch-hunting of Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy in 1953-54, and emerged as a triumphant truth-seeker against the abuses of corporate and governmental power. As played by David Strathairn, Murrow is a dogged realist, keenly aware of the smear tactics that will be employed against him; Clooney provides crucial backup as Murrow's "See It Now" producer and closest confidante Fred Friendly, forming a fierce but not entirely fearless triumvirate of broadcasting bravery with CBS chief William Paley (Frank Langella), who anxiously champions Murrow's cause under constant threat of reprisals. While using crisp black-and-white cinematography (by Robert Elswit) to vividly recreate the electrifying atmosphere of the CBS newsroom and the early years of television, Clooney (son of long-time Cincinnati newsman Nick Clooney) proves his directorial skill by juggling big themes and an esteemed ensemble cast, never stooping to simplification of ethically complex material. Good Night, and Good Luck is an instant classic, destined for all the accolades it so richly deserves. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
sophisticated, flawless and riveting:
Good Night, and Good Luck tells us the gripping true story of how famed television journalist Edward R. Murrow (played so well by David Strathairn) dared to speak against the over-zealous and ferocious anti-Communist Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy (seen here in black and white newsreel clips to make this film feel all the more real). The cinematography is excellent and David Strathairn does a superlative job of portraying the nervous yet very brave Murrow; and the plot moves along at a very good pace.... more info
3.5 stars out of 4:
The Bottom Line: Quickly forgotten by just about everyone after it was shut out of the 2006 Oscars, GNaGL is a worthy (if brief) look into one of television's most interesting figures and what was arguably his finest hour.
Nice but not that well:
After the Oscar Award evenning. We can absolutely trust this movie is going to be a master piece of script, performance and cinematography.
Well i do not deny the force of this factors, it is a great movie indeed. And Clooney did a splendid work on it. His fellow friend Soderberg can be proud of the legacy he remained on him but the movie is boring. It is not about the black and white technique, is not about the dense dialogs, is not about the topic of the plot, is just the rhythm and development... more info
Distorted history:
We all know that what Senator Joe McCarthy said in the 1950s about the communist threat facing America was filled with lies. But how many of us also know that much of what today's news and entertainment media says about the McCarthy Era is equally flawed? McCarthy died discredited in 1957, and his lies fortunately died with him. But the distortions that today's news media use to conceal their own misdeeds during that era remain with us. This film is an illustration of that. It's not only propaganda, it's... more info
