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List Price: $19.98 | | Label: Warner Home Video
Salesrank: 4960
Released: March 14, 2006 |
| Our Price: $2.99 |
| Used Price: $1.00 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
"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
Description of Good Night, and Good Luck (Widescreen Edition):
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
Good Night, and Good Luck (Widescreen Edition) Reviews:
Black and White Blu Ray 
2009-12-06 - Good Night, and Good Luck. is a great movie and looks nice on blu ray. However, if you are looking for a film that will get the most out of your blu ray player then this probably isn't the best title to get. The picture is crisp and clear as one would come to expect from blu ray but the movie is in black and white. The blu ray has the same additional content that the DVD has so you're not missing out on anything. If you have an HDTV then the DVD will be upconverted and look as just as good as HD. If you own the DVD an upgrade is not neccessary.
Great DVD. Thank you! 
2009-11-30 - Quick delivery, DVD as described. Great price. Thank you. I'd love to buy from you again.
Ed Murrow
2009-09-12 - I have the complete Ed Murrow collection, and I must say this portrays him and his fight with McCarthy very well, the good thing is it cut McCarthy,s venomous speech against Murrow to the nitty-gritty, making it more understandable, without the rambling that went on and on. I know I will watch it more than once.
Good Night And Good Luck Movie Review
2009-09-12 - Good Night, And Good Luck. looks at the early years of television and journalism principles; specifically the on-air clash in the 1950's between Edward R. Murrow of CBS and Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin. With an outstanding cast, including McCarthy himself through archival footage, this film comes alive with intense emotion while depicting the historical See It Now shows and journalism integrity.
Sen. Joseph McCarthy abused his position of power when he claimed many U.S. citizens were Communist Party members. By instilling fear he was able to cripple people's lives with uncorroborated hearsay evidence. Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) decided to report the known facts of McCarthy's tactics on his show with the assistance of his right-hand man, Fred Friendly (George Clooney). With Murrow's strong following he was able change the course of history.
The film was produced in black and white and with impeccable acting and props I felt I was living through the events and they unfolded. Of course it must have been much more extraordinary back then; but, having not grown up in that time this is the closest I will ever come to understanding the impact of those events.
You do not need to be a history buff to enjoy this movie. A little light reading would not hurt though if you are not familiar with Murrow and McCarthy; I found it useful to have my computer at hand to lookup up some lesser known people I was curios about (but didn't need to know to have the film make sense).
David Strathairn did an excellent job portraying Murrow right down to the infamous Camel cigarette always in hand. The additional cast of George Clooney, Patricia Clarkson, Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey Jr., and Frank Langella all showed their talent on the screen. I was particularly impressed with Ray Wise who played Don Hollenbeck - his superb (although small) role with stay with me for a long time.
9 out of 10 - Rated PG - Watch this one for the historical importance and amazing film making.
Dain Binder
Dain's Movie Reviews
Masterful Recreation of Historical Drama
2009-09-03 - This is a thoughtful, intelligent drama, very well written and executed. George Clooney and co. masterfully recreate the atmosphere of the McCarthy era; there is a palpable fear throughout. He never "dumbs down" this important piece of history for the sake of more box office. The weaving together of archival footage with scripted drama is also tremendous. The pace does crawl at times, yet that doesn't detract from the story. Strathairn's Murrow shines brightly through the ever-present cigarette smoke, and I also enjoyed Langella's William Paley immensely. Seeing him here after recently viewing Frost/Nixon reinforces that my appreciation of his talent. I love Robert Downey Jr. and Patricia Clarkson; I'd liked to have seen more of them in this movie. The Liberace footage had me laughing out loud. Its an excellent addition, and it cleverly illustrates what Murrow had to endure in order to keep his job.
In the same vein with All The President's Men, this movie reminds us of the proper role journalism plays with government. Investigatory journalists, like Murrow, must ask the tough questions, even with the threat of retaliation and smear tactics. The people deserve nothing less than the light of truth. It is no coincidence that an anti-McCarthy movie was produced by the Hollywood left in light of their disgust with or loathing of the Bush administration's tactics in the war on terror. Although I believe that Hollywood should avoid overt political statements, as an historical recreation, this film succeeds impressively.
