Product Description

"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.
Running Time: 93 min.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2824 in DVD
• Brand: WARNER HOME VIDEO
• Released on: 2006-03-14
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds
• Running time: 93 minutes

Amazon.com
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,

Director George Clooney

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.

David Strathairn as Edward R. Murrow

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

Learn More About Edward R. Murrow and Broadcast Journalism

George Clooney's Recommended Reading

George Clooney's Recommended Movies

The Edward R. Murrow Collection

Customer Reviews

A high point in the history of media
"Good Night and Good Luck" is a gem of a film. It is designed for thoughtful and sophisticated viewers and it certainly hits the spot. Going back to the 1950s when Senator Joe McCarthy was terrorizing government employees and the entertainment industry with his communism witch hunt, the film focuses on the heroic response of Edward R. Murrow and his willingness to confront McCarthy in the public arena where he might be truly defeated and made accountable for his actions. "Good Night and Good Luck" was the sign-off slogan of early television pioneer, Edward R. Murrow. The film is so cleverly made that a viewer does not really need to know the history of Joe McCarthy and Edward R. Murrow, the senator and the celebrated World War II broadcaster, to fully appreciate the struggle. Imagine what it must have been like to have this clash of the titans on national public television. One force preying on human fear and ignorance and the other appealing to man's better nature. When was the last time the media and the policy makers relied on man's better nature? It is a rare occurrence.
In this day and time it is difficult to imagine the fear of Communism that drove the McCarthy hearings and his efforts to destroy the lives and career of anyone remotely connected to socialism. There is an amazing part of this film where a cafeteria worker who has been promoted to send coded messages is grilled by the Senator and his aid Roy Cohn, when the poor woman is obviously not a member of the Communist party.
Filming in black and white evoked the 1950s and the quick breakaway shots captured the fast tempo of newsrooms that broadcast live to the nation every night. Director George Clooney made wise decisions to keep the film in the vernacular of the 1950s to help give it a time and place in the mind of the viewers. The integration of actual news footage, particularly of McCarthy, were integrated perfectly into the film.
Actor David Strathairn is superb as Murrow, a man of considerable bravery and control, who seems to be ever supported by his faith in his fellow man to think through the issues, to deliberate with caution and wisdom, and to make the best decisions. Wow, does any of us have such faith in their fellow man as Murrow seemed to have for his viewers during the McCarthy reign of terror.
Frank Langella as Bill Paley and Clooney as Fred Friendly offered the opportunities for dialogue and to penetrate the personal philosophy behind Murrow's public actions. They demonstrate that often great actions require great coverage which Paley, President of CBS, offered to Murrow. Furthermore, Murrow was the voice that brought the struggle of London during World War II and he dare not waste his public trust capital with the American public. He used his public trust well in the service of the American system and the American people.
"Good Night and Good Luck" is a sophisticated film that holds its audience in the highest regard, much in line with the political social philosophy of Murrow. The film opens however with a warning that television could become only a tool of entertainment and not for public education and information.


The supporting cast was superb, including Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Matt Ross, Reed Diamond, and Jeff Daniels. The relationship between CBS' CEO, William Paley (Frank Langella in) and Murrow is supportive, professional, and full of integrity on the part of both parties. As Murrow, Strathairn is almost a recreation of the man himself.

In the end, the film is intense and understated, and thus will be under appreciated by the masses. However it is destined to be a classic for the few. As you can see, I sometimes don't have the faith in my fellow citizens that was evident in the career of Edward R. Murrow.

CBS, Operation Mockingbird, and Joe McCarthy
Clooney's film does not delve into Joe McCarthy's preliminary investigation of CIA covert activities and how CBS chairman William Paley, Fred Friendly, and Edward R. Murrow were part of the Agency's Operation Mockingbird to provide deflection and cover of the Agency's "family jewels" of the day.

CBS News president Sig Mickelson (1954-61) was liason to the CIA."

Good BD
This is a very good BD. The image quality is great and this is a great movie but, there are a few things without the movie.

If you like this movie and you have a BD player, this is a BD that you have to have