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Tough, gritty -- this film is a great inside look into the workings of network news broadcasting, from the earliest days of radio into the modern era of television. It goes beyond a mere biography of Edward R. Murrow, although this phase is fascinating in itself. The film touches heavily on the inherent conflicts that influence (and sometimes quash) the dedicated journalist. Daniel Travante does a fine believable job of portraying Murrow as an insightful professional who does his best to excel in a business guided primarily by the profit motive. Dabney Coleman's portrayal of CBS chairman William Paley is a masterpiece of understatement. The primary value of "Murrow" lies in its tantalizing look at the ways in which radio and early television evolved into media powerhouses. Using actual clips of historical events -- notably those involving Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy -- the film nicely depicts the journalist's battle to bring hard news to the viewer, even when the effort upsets sponsors and politicians. Money is the bottom line, and "Murrow" leaves the viewer with a sense of sadness at the way journalists are forced to dance to the tune of the dollar bill. In all, "Murrow" is a fine piece of work. It's not for those who want only to be entertained. But it's must-see for anyone who cares about how the opinion-makers operate.
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