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Special Features
Theatrical Feature
Road to Atlas Shrugged
I Am John Galt
"The John Galt Theme" Slideshow
Commentary with John Aglialoro, Brian Patrick O'Toole and Harmon Kaslow
Road to Atlas Shrugged
I Am John Galt
"The John Galt Theme" Slideshow
Commentary with John Aglialoro, Brian Patrick O'Toole and Harmon Kaslow
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
After years of trying, somebody finally made a film out of Ayn Rand's big-selling novel of "rational self-interest," Atlas Shrugged. Well, got a start on it, anyway, with this 2011 release of Part One (of three). The sprawling novel is necessarily telescoped down to size, and the focus is on railroad magnate Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling) and her intricate strategies involving a piece of real estate in Colorado, an ongoing economic collapse, and the rugged individualist, Hank Rearden (Grant Bowler), whose new metal alloy might come in handy for laying new track. Of course, the real issue in Rand's scenario is not metal alloy but the fact that government regulation and a misguided sense of collectivism and altruism is strangling the elite members of society, something the movie reminds us of with grim regularity. As a kind of boardroom-plotting movie, Atlas Shrugged isn't incompetent, and if director Paul Johansson hasn't devised a way to make these heavy-handed discussions come to life, at least it keeps moving along. If you like Rand's objectivist philosophy, you'll bask in the glow of having those ideas reaffirmed, and if you're uninitiated, well, they certainly are laid out there in stark fashion. (And if you find Rand's ideas absurd, you'll find this movie a little like watching a cult meeting.) As to the question "Who is John Galt?" you'll have to move on to Atlas Shrugged: Part Two, released in 2012, to pick that up--but be ready to work at sorting the plot out anew, because Part One's cast has been replaced by a new roster of actors. --Robert Horton
Product Description
Ayn Rand's timeless novel of rational self-interest comes to life for a new millennium.". The year is 2016, and America is on the verge of economic disaster. The greatest citizens are being targeted, and dark forces are working to bring about America’s final days. Our only hope for salvation lies with Dagny Taggart and Henry Rearden, rugged individualists whose bold ideas may have the power to spark a revolution and reclaim to the American Dream.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
520 of 563 people found the following review helpful
By Alan Dorow
Format:DVD
Being a big fan of Ayn Rand's great novel Atlas Shrugged, I expect a less-than-stellar movie version of the book. Happily, I was very pleased with the first installment of the film.
With the length and scope of the story, it requires either an incredibly long movie or a division into different parts, which they decided to do here. While I've heard plenty about the overall low budget of the film, it is still very well done and they spent some good money on CGI effects for the John Galt Line. Taylor Schilling is actually very good as Dagny Taggart - she projects the high-end efficiency and passion of the character, and she is appropriately sexy as well. Grant Bowler as Hank Reardon turns out to be a decent choice as well.
Bottom line, though: I brought along my 16-year-old daughter to see the film, and I expected her to find it "boring" or otherwise uninteresting. Big surprise, though: she loved it! She likes the story and was very drawn to the character of Dagny Taggart. Dagny is such an inspirational role model for women, and I'm glad to see my daughter was inspired as well.
With the length and scope of the story, it requires either an incredibly long movie or a division into different parts, which they decided to do here. While I've heard plenty about the overall low budget of the film, it is still very well done and they spent some good money on CGI effects for the John Galt Line. Taylor Schilling is actually very good as Dagny Taggart - she projects the high-end efficiency and passion of the character, and she is appropriately sexy as well. Grant Bowler as Hank Reardon turns out to be a decent choice as well.
Bottom line, though: I brought along my 16-year-old daughter to see the film, and I expected her to find it "boring" or otherwise uninteresting. Big surprise, though: she loved it! She likes the story and was very drawn to the character of Dagny Taggart. Dagny is such an inspirational role model for women, and I'm glad to see my daughter was inspired as well.
332 of 375 people found the following review helpful
Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've never read Atlas Shrugged, and probably never will, so I wasn't familiar with the story at all. When the movie was originally released at the theaters, I read one bad review after another, so I opted not to see it at that time. The move recently went on sale with Amazon, so I bought it and watched it. I came away from the movie surprised; surprised at why it got bad reviews and surprised it didn't do better at the box office despite the bad reviews.
For certain, if you're looking for a movie with explosions, action, comedy, gratuitous sex or horror, you're not going to find Atlas Shrugged worth watching, but if you're looking for an erudite, smart and philosophical movie, Atlas Shrugged hits the mark. The complaints about poor production are so wrong it logical to assume it ideologically driven. The acting it convincing and realistic; anyone who's worked for a successful, self-made business person will quickly recognize the character of "Hank Reardon". And the musical score; some reviews described it as over wrought, but the score for Inglorious Bastards is significantly more "over wrought" than Atlas Shrugged.
In short, if movies about business and/or philosophy appeal to you, then this movie is worth your time.
For certain, if you're looking for a movie with explosions, action, comedy, gratuitous sex or horror, you're not going to find Atlas Shrugged worth watching, but if you're looking for an erudite, smart and philosophical movie, Atlas Shrugged hits the mark. The complaints about poor production are so wrong it logical to assume it ideologically driven. The acting it convincing and realistic; anyone who's worked for a successful, self-made business person will quickly recognize the character of "Hank Reardon". And the musical score; some reviews described it as over wrought, but the score for Inglorious Bastards is significantly more "over wrought" than Atlas Shrugged.
In short, if movies about business and/or philosophy appeal to you, then this movie is worth your time.
409 of 471 people found the following review helpful
By D. T. Jewett
Format:DVD
This movie is Part 1 of three parts; and it covers the first part of the book.
The movie is well made - the quality is actually quite good. Acting was generally good to excellent. Camera work was good; although the low budget resulted in a missing camera angle here and there. Special effects were consistently well done.
The story, of course, is exceptional; and it is well-told in this movie.
Numbers I've seen indicate 80% of the audience (more than 12,000 people were polled) give this movie a thumbs up. And yet, only about 13% of professional movie critics gave this a thumbs up. By voting it down, the professional movie critics really got it wrong. Why? I don't know . . . I am truly surprised that so many movie critics would allow their own political bias to influence their review - but I can find no objective reason for the critics' poor grades.
Some people would say that those of the liberal persuasion would not enjoy this; as the message is counter to the socialist perspective. But regardless of the message, we are today living in the world of Atlas Shrugged; and thus, I urge you to watch this movie. If you are to open your mind to new and different ideas, then this is certainly a movie that will challenge you.
Edited on February 4, 2012: Atlas Shrugged Part 2 has now been confirmed to begin the main part of production in April 2012. Yes!!!
The movie is well made - the quality is actually quite good. Acting was generally good to excellent. Camera work was good; although the low budget resulted in a missing camera angle here and there. Special effects were consistently well done.
The story, of course, is exceptional; and it is well-told in this movie.
Numbers I've seen indicate 80% of the audience (more than 12,000 people were polled) give this movie a thumbs up. And yet, only about 13% of professional movie critics gave this a thumbs up. By voting it down, the professional movie critics really got it wrong. Why? I don't know . . . I am truly surprised that so many movie critics would allow their own political bias to influence their review - but I can find no objective reason for the critics' poor grades.
Some people would say that those of the liberal persuasion would not enjoy this; as the message is counter to the socialist perspective. But regardless of the message, we are today living in the world of Atlas Shrugged; and thus, I urge you to watch this movie. If you are to open your mind to new and different ideas, then this is certainly a movie that will challenge you.
Edited on February 4, 2012: Atlas Shrugged Part 2 has now been confirmed to begin the main part of production in April 2012. Yes!!!
27 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
as the negativists! So many of the one-star maniacs' 'reviews' don't read at all like they actually SAW this movie.
Between that, and movie reviews, I was prepared this just wasn't going to be very good. Just goes to show you should realize that so much of the world is so politicized, it's becoming impossible to get an objective (no pun intended, a la Rand's philosophy) opinion of what the movie is about.
Having said that, I really liked this movie. I liked it so much, I'm going to reread 'Atlas Shrugged,' which I read years ago in college. And while I'll probably still skip over some of the long winded parts of Ayn Rand's commentary (the woman could write, but my God, did she EVER need an editor!!), this movie is so spot-on to what is wrong with this country, and the world, that the timing couldn't have been more perfect.
Now to the technical details. I loved the casting. No one has made much of a mention of this, but I think Grant Bowler is perfect as Hank Reardon. His looks are perfect; he's also subtle. Taylor Schilling is fine as Dagney.
The casting of the minor characters is really good as well. I particularly liked Patrick Fischler as Paul (very good cold blooded betrayal there), but I must admit, I adore Graham Beckel. He is absolutely perfect in his role.
The cinematography in this movie is fantastic (a sure sign a reviewer didn't see this movie is when they criticize this!) The score is also perfect.
In fact, the only criticism I have of 'Atlas Shrugged,' and it's a big one, is that the movie is WAY too short. All it did for me was whet my appetite to see MORE of it.
Get some funding already and churn out the rest of this series!
Between that, and movie reviews, I was prepared this just wasn't going to be very good. Just goes to show you should realize that so much of the world is so politicized, it's becoming impossible to get an objective (no pun intended, a la Rand's philosophy) opinion of what the movie is about.
Having said that, I really liked this movie. I liked it so much, I'm going to reread 'Atlas Shrugged,' which I read years ago in college. And while I'll probably still skip over some of the long winded parts of Ayn Rand's commentary (the woman could write, but my God, did she EVER need an editor!!), this movie is so spot-on to what is wrong with this country, and the world, that the timing couldn't have been more perfect.
Now to the technical details. I loved the casting. No one has made much of a mention of this, but I think Grant Bowler is perfect as Hank Reardon. His looks are perfect; he's also subtle. Taylor Schilling is fine as Dagney.
The casting of the minor characters is really good as well. I particularly liked Patrick Fischler as Paul (very good cold blooded betrayal there), but I must admit, I adore Graham Beckel. He is absolutely perfect in his role.
The cinematography in this movie is fantastic (a sure sign a reviewer didn't see this movie is when they criticize this!) The score is also perfect.
In fact, the only criticism I have of 'Atlas Shrugged,' and it's a big one, is that the movie is WAY too short. All it did for me was whet my appetite to see MORE of it.
Get some funding already and churn out the rest of this series!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love this book.
I read "Atlas Shrugged" about 30 years ago. I loved it then and I love it now. The movies are really good also.
Selina Hall
Selina Hall
Published 1 day ago by Selina Hall
4.0 out of 5 stars
atlas shrugged part 1
After finishing part 1 of the book, I thought I would watch this, hoping it didn't foreshadow too much. Read more
Published 1 day ago by samwbr
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful
Hard to believe the book was written so long ago yet all the political shenanigans that are depicted there-in are coming true. Sadly there is no Atlantis to escape to. Read more
Published 3 days ago by A. Sanderson
3.0 out of 5 stars
bad picture.slow download speed
movies stoped twice.one time for over five minutes.picture was stort of blured.amazon or charter were not up to speed.needs ti improve
Published 4 days ago by rrebarber
5.0 out of 5 stars
Atlas Shrugged is a MUST READ!
Every American should read it! Though written in 1957 it's as if she is talking about our country today. Big government punishment for thinking or reasoning.
Published 6 days ago by Sandra LaPlante
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie!
It stays with the book pretty well. I am anxiously awaiting for Atlas Shrugged II to come out. Can't wait.
Published 6 days ago by OleMissRebel1
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Timing was unbelievable
When she wrote this she must have had a premonition because it is all coming true now, and the dates are almost to the day.
Published 6 days ago by JimWilson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good
Not as good as the book but it was good. I a not sure i will buy the next one
Published 7 days ago by François Grégoire
2.0 out of 5 stars
Mumbo-Jumbo Corporate Fantasy
It's 2016, the U.S. economy is in tatters, gas costs $37 per gallon, and the government's out to take over private businesses through the benevolently phrased "equalization of... Read more
Published 8 days ago by Doug Park
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not the best movie
The first part of this movie was pretty good. By the end of the movie, we were anxiously waiting for Part II to see what happened.
Published 9 days ago by Patricia L. Bour
