Tom Bateman

Good Night and Good Luck, the movie, was released 20 years ago. It earned six Oscar nominations. Directed and co-written by George Clooney, it starred David Strathairn as the celebrated 1950s US broadcaster and newsman Edward R. Murrow. Good evening. Good evening. Now, Good Night and Good Luck has been transformed into a big Broadway play, ushered in with a splashy opening.

Good Night and Good Luck, the movie, was released 20 years ago. It earned six Oscar nominations. Directed and co-written by George Clooney, it starred David Strathairn as the celebrated 1950s US broadcaster and newsman Edward R. Murrow. Good evening. Good evening. Now, Good Night and Good Luck has been transformed into a big Broadway play, ushered in with a splashy opening.

In the new production, George Clooney plays Murrow. It shows how despite considerable political and corporate pressure not to do so, the celebrated broadcast journalist went up against Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy at the height of the anti-communist witch hunts in the US in the 1950s. Murrow ultimately prevailed.

In the new production, George Clooney plays Murrow. It shows how despite considerable political and corporate pressure not to do so, the celebrated broadcast journalist went up against Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy at the height of the anti-communist witch hunts in the US in the 1950s. Murrow ultimately prevailed.

The play is a celebration of him and the fearless, vigorous independent journalism he pursued.

The play is a celebration of him and the fearless, vigorous independent journalism he pursued.

George Clooney's enthusiasm for the play was evident at a pre-opening press conference attended by camera crews and journalists.

George Clooney's enthusiasm for the play was evident at a pre-opening press conference attended by camera crews and journalists.

Edward R. Murrow set the standard for American television news journalism in its so-called golden age. At a time when President Trump routinely derides traditional news media as fake news, this play can be seen as taking a stand in favor of objective, fair, balanced, verifiable journalism.

Edward R. Murrow set the standard for American television news journalism in its so-called golden age. At a time when President Trump routinely derides traditional news media as fake news, this play can be seen as taking a stand in favor of objective, fair, balanced, verifiable journalism.

It also presents audiences with the tactics of Senator Joseph McCarthy, who had little respect for due process. It's a period piece that resonates in today's America. Tim Tiemann is senior editor and writer at The Daily Beast.

It also presents audiences with the tactics of Senator Joseph McCarthy, who had little respect for due process. It's a period piece that resonates in today's America. Tim Tiemann is senior editor and writer at The Daily Beast.

Inevitably, comparisons are being made between this Broadway production of Good Night and Good Luck and the original 2005 film. That picture is seen by many people as a great black and white classic. It had excellent cinematography, really strong acting and compelling content. And some people say this Broadway production can't quite match the magic of that.

Inevitably, comparisons are being made between this Broadway production of Good Night and Good Luck and the original 2005 film. That picture is seen by many people as a great black and white classic. It had excellent cinematography, really strong acting and compelling content. And some people say this Broadway production can't quite match the magic of that.

While George Clooney has been praised for his portrayal on stage, there has been criticism that some of the other characters are underdeveloped. Clooney's ideological foes may dismiss this play as theatre, which liberals can come to and have their biases confirmed.

While George Clooney has been praised for his portrayal on stage, there has been criticism that some of the other characters are underdeveloped. Clooney's ideological foes may dismiss this play as theatre, which liberals can come to and have their biases confirmed.

But many of the stars who came to the opening night support him in the belief of having independent journalism for the people, among them actor Pierce Brosnan.

But many of the stars who came to the opening night support him in the belief of having independent journalism for the people, among them actor Pierce Brosnan.

For George Clooney, this new play can be viewed as a career triumph. He was last on stage 40 years ago. Now, at the age of 63, he's made his Broadway debut and succeeded, emerging as a credible leading man on stage. It's a significant milestone.

For George Clooney, this new play can be viewed as a career triumph. He was last on stage 40 years ago. Now, at the age of 63, he's made his Broadway debut and succeeded, emerging as a credible leading man on stage. It's a significant milestone.