Plot Details: This opinion reveals no details about the movie's plot.

Good Night and Good Luck (2005) Directed by George Clooney.

”We will not walk in fear, one of another.” Edward R. Murrow.

In 1953, America faced an invasion. It was called an invasion by communists. In point of fact, the enemy was closer to home; the witch hunter. And the Witch Hunter General of the era was Senator Joseph McCarthy. The junior Senator from Wisconsin held the nation in a grip built by fear and intimidation. We were afraid the communists were here to destroy us, and the threat that if you opposed the Senator in any fashion, you too could be listed intimidated many good people into saying nothing, thus becoming passive collaborators with one of the greatest evils ever perpetrated on the American people.

Edward R. Murrow, respected journalist for CBS, decided that perhaps the time had come to take the Senator to task for his actions. And that is what he did. It was not a decision they took on lightly, or without due consideration. The possibility of being black listed was very real. The Hollywood Ten were not the only people’s lives who were destroyed merely by being examined by the Committee.

They started with an indictment of the treatment of Lt. Milo Radulovich, who was discharged for being a security risk without trail, evidence, or the right to face his accusers. They were very careful in their handling of the matter. They did not say that Radulovich was a fine upstanding citizen, they instead pointed out that he was simply a citizen, and that the sealed manila envelop containing the “proof” of his connection to communists had never once been made available, not even to his attorney.

Later, on March 9th, 1954, they took the battle directly to the Senator. The speech Murrow gave in closing is a stirring and well aimed shot at the Senator.

No one familiar with the history of his country, can deny that congressional committees are useful. It is necessary to investigate before legislating. But the line between investigating and persecuting is a very fine one, and the Junior Senator from Wisconsin has stepped over it repeatedly. His primary achievement has been confusing the public mind as between the internal and the external threats of communism. We must not confuse dissent from disloyalty. We must remember always, that accusation is not proof, and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another, we will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason. If we dig deep into our history and our doctrine, we will remember we are not descended from fearful men. Not from men who dared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were for the moment unpopular. This is no time for men who oppose Sen. McCarthy's methods to keep silent or for those who approve. We can deny our heritage and our history but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of the republic to abdicate his responsibilities. As a nation we have come into our full inheritance at a tender age. We proclaim ourselves as indeed we are, the defenders of freedom wherever it still exists in the world. But we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. The actions of the Junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his, he didn't create this situation of fear, he merely exploited it, and rather successfully. Cassius was right, the fault dear Brutus is not in our stars, but in ourselves. Good night, and good luck. Edward R. Murrow.

Needless to say, there was fall out, particularly from O’Brian, and much aimed at Murrow’s protégé, Donald Hollenbeck. McCarthy of course was offered the chance to rebut the broadcast, and he eventually did, though, historians agree, not very successfully.

There were triumphs; Lt. Radulovich was reinstated, there were tragedies; Don Hollenbeck committed suicide. There were consequences; Alcoa pulled out as a Sponsor of See It Now. The program was moved to Sunday afternoons, and only picked up for five shows… there were severe consequences. But the Djinni was out the bottle, and eventually, McCarthy was “condemned” for his actions by Congress. It did not use the language “Censure” but that is what it was. Senator Joseph McCarthy was still a Senator, but his power was broken, and he died of Cirrhosis of the liver in 1957.

It was not one man’s effort, or even one news programs that eventually stopped the fear mongering reign of terror, but it was the shot that put the chink in the armour.

The story is about more than just the battle with the Red Scare; there is a lovely sub-plot of the secret marriage between Shirley and Joe Wershba, carefully hidden because of the rule against any two employees being married to each other. The friendship between Murrow and Fred Friendly, and the “honored adversary” relationship between Murrow and William Paley both enrich the movie, and let us see the man in the setting of his world.

The entire production is brilliantly well done; the period work is flawless (those ubiquitous cigarettes!) The art direction and set direction were nominated for an Oscar, one of six. The other five were for cinematography (this is the first black and white movie nominated for an Oscar since 1980s The Elephant Man), Best Screen Play, Best Director and Best Film. David Strathairn was nominated for Best Actor. There were 22 awards, and 60 further nominations. And the cost for this marvelous award winner? $7 million.

Not only was this movie a wonderful history lesson into one of the darker periods of our recent past, but it served to highlight the fight between quality and ratings that has been going on for all of my life…now, it appears, ratings have won, hands down, and have spiked the ball in the face of the viewing public.

Of course, Edward R. Murrow had a few words to say about this. They used them to close the movie, and I use them to close this review.

To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. Good night, and good luck.

This movie is done for Stephen Murray’s Black and White Write off in honor of epinioner, isinga.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8