Good Night and Good Luck (2005)
Mild themes
Written, directed by and starring George Clooney, shot in elegant black and white with impeccable ensemble acting and moody jazz riffs for a soundtrack, "Good Night, and Good Luck." provides a snapshot of the moment in history in which a major American television personality named Edward R. Murrow took on the malevolent power of a muckraking U.S. senator named Joseph McCarthy and won.
It is said that for evil to triumph, all that is necessary is for good men to do nothing. But it's the reverse that's really true. For evil to be vanquished, all that is necessary is for good men -- even one good man -- to do something.
In 1954, Edward R. Murrow did.
With a desire to report the facts and enlighten the public, Murrow (David Strathairn), and his dedicated staff - headed by his producer Fred Friendly (George Clooney) and Joe Wershba (Robert Downey Jr) 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.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 93mins |
| Origin: | FRANCE |
| Aspect Ratio: |
If you like this, try these:
Member Reviews (86)
86 Member
Reviews
says
Many people under 40 years old do not know much (or anything) about the Mccarthy era in the USA and the threat to democracy carried out by high level and powerful government officials. This excellent movie gives a taste of the paranoia of the era. The acting is excellent, the characters seem real. The story involves the news commentator and his colleagues who bravely fought against McCarthy. It touches on how McCarthy's activity led to tragic circumstances for some people, and there are references to the careers of people that were destroyed. this movies is well worth viewing if you are interested in history of the USA in mid-20th century
desperate Dave down under
says
Excellent and very intelligent script with the main character playing a wonderful role. Maybe too deep for the popcorn brigade but throughly enjoyed it
Josie
says
Could'nt get into this movie at all for some reason.
marion
says
dreadfull boring
frank mcgovern
says
Interesting historical piece of McCarthy - good acting - good cast
AJ
says
Enjoyed the film, different to what I normally watch but was very interesting, worth a watch.
B. Mayes
says
Excellent intelligent movie - a lot to absorb but the integrity of the journalists at that time, particularly Ed Murray, and dreadful years of McCarthy and the consequences should be mandatory watching for future generations who know nothing of those years.
Erin P.
says
Interesting look at a little-known part of TV history. Rather slow-paced, but thought-provoking, with some excellent performances by the ensemble cast. Clooney’s directing debut is a solid, artful effort.
Includes a behind-the-scenes featurette.
Carlz
says
This movie was amazing, though I would understand why it would not be others cup of tea. This period in American history is so interesting
jane
says
This movie had been recommended to me, but it wasn't what I was expecting and I found it difficult to stay focussed.
Karen B
says
Very intense depiction of life in the media under McCarthyism in the 50s. Excellent performance by David Strathairn as Ed Murrow - it made me want to go and research the period and understand what really happened.
Steve
says
Worked better than a sleeping pill !
Robert I.
says
A real piece of USA history brilliantly portrayed. Loved all the acting but David Strathairn is exceptional.
Gerd
says
There was a story in there somewhere, but it was rather hard to follow. Maybe it's typical of newsrooms of that (or any) era, but with so many people talking all at once it was difficult to work out what was going on. All was quiet though for the "sermons" by the courageous newsman - about decency and what we would now call the "dumbing down" of the media. These were marvellously well put, yet ultimately boring because they were so preachy. The "featurette" on the DVD with interviews giving background to the movie is more interesting and coherent that the film itself.
gaddy
says
What a surprise I wasn't expecting such fantstic direction and filming, I felt that aspect was a work of art. Very visual type of filming and since it was in black and white I imagine this was even harder to achieve. David Strathairn was brilliant. Watch this very different movie.
Nigel W.
says
A worthy movie that looks at a number of issues in relation to journalism, in particular maintaining personal integrity and reporting the truth under political pressure (in this case during tthe time of he Senator McCarthy Communist witchhunts). Very good performance by Stathairn as Ed Munro. Despite enjoying I felt it could have been broader and little more hard hitting.
Janice T.
says
A thought provoking film with a lot of style. Very relevant today.
Peter F.
says
A brilliantly written movie. Some of the speeches were so beautifully worded they became objects to admired in their own right. The acting was on the pace but it is really the narrative that is so compelling.
Leanne P.
says
Incredibly dreary.
Brendan W.
says
Excellent film! Really enjoyed it. The way it was made, the story, the topic and the actors = all good. A good story, well told.
Chris D.
says
Excellent work all round, and a vital hero story for our times.
Elspeth N.
says
Excellent movie - I wasn't sure at first - black and white, heavy sort of topic, but I was soon absorbed into the drama and it was very satisfying. George Clooney helps, of course!
Adriaan van Jaarsveldt
says
Watching George Clooney’s Good Night and Good Luck, I could not help but think that so much of history is a series of blunders and misdirection of effort based on faulty assumptions and incomplete information. The film is about the 1950’s US witch-hunt for communist supporters, lead by the notorious Senator McCArthy. It’s so easy today to scoff at the Senator and his supporters, but at the time many people were scared by his fear-mongering tactics. Another thing that we misunderstood completely with tragic consequences is also portrayed in this movie: smoking. In this movie, befitting of its 1950s setting, everyone smokes, and boy, do they ever. Edward Murrow the TV reported around whom the story is built more or less vanishes behind a fog of cigarette smoke on his show. I have little doubt that one day we will look back and wonder how anyone could have believed that we could stop climate change by cutting back on carbon emissions, but that’s a story for another time. This one is a good and gripping story and it works very well in black & white.
Marek P.
says
Superb docu-drama expose of America's 20th century nadir...up their with 'Fog of War'...keep doing it George!
stimpy
says
Money always has the last say...
Anne H.
says
Jennifer C.
says
excellent movie, clever use of real footage that fitted seamlessly into the black and white movie.
Barbara N.
says
Good acting, good story.
Gary H.
says
An interesting insight into a shameful episode in American history. The story of one brave mans stance against the venal politicking of a truly evil junior senator.
Perhaps not as relevant in Australia to some, however this movie speaks to modern times in a very eloquent way.
Trent S.
says
Enjoyable enough, providing you don't think Clooney is a left wing pinko. Didactic in the extreme, but does make you wish journalism in this country amounted to more than the efforts of our commercial networks.
David H.
says
Excellent docudrama. Well acted and filled with passion.
P. C.
says
Jean F.
says
Excellent film, excellent cast. Great to see this film shot in black and white. A magnificent piece of directing by George Clooney.
Stephenie K.
says
I wouldn't recommend watching this when drinking. Although the story is fairly straighforward and presented in a conventional way, I was completely lost after 2 glasses of wine. The performances were great though.
David H.
says
Good film full of intrigue, well acted.
Sean D.
says
Never really got into it, but it did give a good insight to the politics of the 1950's.
Kemal A.
says
A Must Watch with "Majestic" by jim Carrey to get a clue of an era.
Robyn K.
says
William S.
says
Trent H.
says
Fantastic story. Excellent cast. This deserved so much more hype than it received.
It's a human look at the very invasive time of the McCarthy 'Investigations' and how one person can make a difference.
The best part is it's true
Michael C.
says
Jennie F.
says
Worth a watch, very timely re:the issues covered but probably not promoted as much as it shouild have ben due to the political themes. Good on you George for being brave enough to make it.
Pauline T.
says
Pauline P.
says
This tale would have been more interesting as a 30 min documentary. Too long and boring in a movie length.
Leeza H.
says
Gwen A.
says
very powerful movie, and good acting and riveting till the end
Geoff M.
says
Not a bad movie, some serious acting roles played, set the scene in B&W and the jazz is good. You need to concentrate and get the plot at the start.
Bo
says
Very well done movie and with a timely subject. Raises many important issues from how fear, hearsay and prosecution may destroy lives, to how entertainment pushes out more thought provoking programs.
Barry N.
says
Wade P.
says
Helene C.
says
Excellent theme, excellent acting, food for thought. Not to be missed.
Elaine A.
says
A bit boring
Bernadette B.
says
Wow. This is a powerful story told simply but brilliantly. I had little knowledge of Murrow's story before watching but feel that the movie gave me a great insight into a somewhat heroic character from recent history. The risky choice to film in black and white paid off as it evoked the 1950's very well and allowed seamless integration of the dramatic film with archival news footage.
Brian G.' s wife
says
We can both remember the McCarthy era and the 'Reds under the bed',even if we were too young to be interested in American politics.
A very well crafted B & W film, very credible and true to its era with regard to costume, attitudes and SMOKING! And justifiably suspicious of the mind numbing possibilities of TV.
Jane N.
says
Did not appeal to me.
Dick S.
says
An excellent overview and reminder of the McCarthy era in the US
Ashley K.
says
Watch this for some really moving comment on journalism and some excellent acting and make-up. The lead actor in this is stunning, I was speechless. And previously I had not heard of Murrow, but now he is one of my hero's, what an awesome guy.
Helen J.
says
Ray B.
says
Sarah H.
says
A great watch, a really interesting true life story- and great black and white cinematography
Anne K.
says
liked the black and white treatment; could have been longer; good overview of what was going on at the time.
Shaun O.
says
wow - talk about the power of the media - very interesting
Peter L.
says
How topical
Sarah S.
says
Really interesting film. Great cast and if you appreciate filmography you'll love the way this film was shot... Great jazz as well!
Jennifer B.
says
Peta S.
says
Great film. Beautifully crafted. Harks back to a time when integrity and journalism could occasionally be synonymous.
Dennis D.
says
Christine A.
says
Fantastic movie. Beautifully made and gives an interesting viewpoint on an era that I used to find hard to believe actually happened.
It sends an important message today - that we still should stand up against persecution - despite the mass histeria of the time - no matter what our faith or politics.
Kathryn M.
says
Very interweaving of historical footage and newly shot black and white footage, which made for a really interesting movie, though I found it a bit slow in places. Fascinating look at courage and commitment to truth in adverse circumstance.
Andrew C.
says
Totally excellent movie! Well worth watching...
Elaine B.
says
Lyneve C.
says
I saw this one at the movies and it was certainly worth a second look on DVD. A superb political piece and chilling commentary on the dark days of McCarthy America. Clooney et al were just brilliant!
says
Maureen E.
says
Jack C.
says
A timely reminder of what our democracy has lost as the corporate mass media has gotten into bed with "Coalition of the Willing" governments in the "never-ending war against terrorism". It shows the kind of guts and integrity that would have exposed their lies and real consequences of their actions in Iraq and elsewhere. Now we just have brain-dead TV celebrities selling mindless rubbish to the masses. Had this film been about now, it probably would have been banned under various sedition laws designed to protect the incompetent and dishonest wrongdoers in power (in the name of "national security"). Watch this and wonder: is there a TV hero of our times to match Edward R. Murrow's brave pursuit of the truth?
Di B.
says
more a docco than movie but interesting
Richard R.
says
Alistair L.
says
Peter S.
says
Great effort by Clooney as director. Feels like an authentic view of the 50's, way back when ethics was considered to be a component of journalism.
sonab
says
A very good movie with an excellent cast. Superbly created in black & white which gave more credibility to the insertion of old T.V. footage. Very thought provoking and one you must watch.
Bruce Z.
says
bo
says
Well, I don't need to add to the flood of praise for this flick. I only want to highlight the great performance by David Strathairn in the lead role. I have been a fan since first seeing him performing. A distinctive voice, look and talent. See his other movies, and see them soon.
barry
says
A movie every person should see and contemplate, although this story is fifty years old, it applies to exactly what is happening around the world today
Carrie M.
says
Helen M.
says
Jeanette C.
says
Congratulations George and may there be many more !!!! This was an excellent film and the cast David Strathairn, Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Ray Wise, Frank Langella, Jeff Daniels, George Clooney, Tate Donovan, Thomas Mccarthy, Matt Ross, Reed Diamond, Robert John Burke, Grant Heslov, Alex Borstein, Rose Abdoo. No one did not excel.