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Special Features
- New featurette The Making of The Fountainhead
- Theatrical Trailer
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Exhibiting a darker edge to his hero persona, the strapping Gary Cooper has the (Frank Lloyd) Wright stuff as architect Harold Roark, a "fool visionary" who refuses to conform his artistic ideas to popular taste. His inflexibility makes enemies out of a tabloid architecture critic and a tycoon (Raymond Massey), who proclaims, "All men can be bought... there are no men of integrity." Keating (Kent Smith), a former classmate, urges Roark to take "the middle of the road so it's sure to please everybody." But Roark will not compromise, and when one of his building designs is radically altered without his consent, he resorts to drastic measures. Adapted for the screen by Ayn Rand from her towering and controversial bestseller, The Fountainhead is about as subtle as that phallic drill Roark wields so impressively, which catches the frenzied eye of the formidable Dominique Francon (Patricia Neal in her film debut). She recognizes Roark's nobility, but fears he has no chance "in a world where beauty, genius and greatness have no chance." Rand did little to dilute her polemics for the screen, resulting in melodramatic scenes that border on high camp, such as Roark and Francon's rather sexually charged discussion about limestone. Rand practiced what she preached. According to a bonus featurette about the making of the film, she refused to trim Roark's then-unprecedented six-minute courtroom speech in which he defends his actions. Even for those who don't adhere to her philosophy, The Fountainhead does offer something rarely seen on screens these days, a man of unshakable principles. And Hollywood could sure note Rand's object lesson about the perils of mediocrity and catering to "the mob." For Cooper fans, The Fountainhead is an essential addition to your DVD library. --Donald Liebenson
Product Description
Based on the novel by philosopher Ayn Rand, this is the story of architect Howard Roark. An idealist, Roark believes he can balance his values with the needs of society. His mentor disagrees - encouraging him to compromise his integrity rather than suffer for his artistic goals.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
128 of 130 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The first time I saw this movie, circa 1969, I was disappointed. I felt it was melodramatically presented, in black and white, and in two hours it was an injustice to the novel's power and grandeur. The actors did not seem to measure up, or buy in, to the characters they portrayed. This movie review, thirty years ago, would have rated "The Fountainhead" as, at best, two stars. It was a definite embarassment to most Ayn Rand devotees at the time.
The five star rating I give the movie today, thirty years and numerous viewings later, is a very personal, indivdualized one. Through these eyes, "The Fountainhead" is enormously moving, well-cast and very well portrayed, if you're the kind of person who relates to: (1) the struggle between integrity and conformity in our private and business lives (2) the travails of entrepreneurship and perseverance in the face of spirit crushing adversity (3) the belief that there is definable difference between good and evil, and that it is really possible for the former to prevail.
Several of Gary Cooper's scenes as Howard Roark are profoundly memorable: (1) when he refuses money from Peter Keating after showing him he was down to his last few cents (2) when he walks out on the munificent offer from the bank board to build a mutation of his bank design (3) the party scene when Dominique discovers the quarry worker she had obsessed over was Roger Enright's architect, Howard Roark.
There's more. Great camera angles, strong dialogue from the supporting cast, especially Ellsworth Toohey.
Summarily, the director, screenplay people and actors did a magnificent job within the two hour confines of making a riveting movie. But if you're looking for a verbatim reproduction of the book, or you have an aversion to Ayn Rand's message of individual creativism and freedom, this one's not for you!
58 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
While it was based on Ayn Rand's book, Ayn Rand personally altered the story to adapt it to film. It is a great movie that really makes the viewer think about many things including individualism, selfishness, and even what is right and wrong. For many people who take these notions as given from a very young, questioning them with an adult mind is a good idea. If you enjoy this movie, be sure to pick up and read some of Ayn Rand's non-fiction.
68 of 75 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Ayn Rand not only wrote the screenplay for this film based on her classic novel, she was, according to most reports, in favor of casting Gary Cooper as her architect hero Howard Roark. That proved to be a mistake. Not only is Cooper too "mature" for the role, he lacks the necessary passion to deliver Rand's philisophical speeches with conviction. Despite this misstep, "The Fountainhead" is a pretty faithful summary (as opposed to adaptation) of the legendary novel, and though it is far from perfect, the fact that Warner Bros. would even undertake such a radical project shows that the movie moguls of the past (such as Jack L. Warner) had a lot more vision and courage than the folks running the show in Hollywood today. The rest of the cast is quite good, and King Vidor's direction is masterful. The camera angles, the cinematography, and set design are all splendidly offbeat, making this film worthwhile for its visual qualities alone.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Too melodramatic for me
I need to read the book. Since watching this film, I purchased a Kindle version of THE FOUNDTAINHEAD.
I found the acting bad. Read more
I found the acting bad. Read more
Published 5 days ago by S. M Marson
Love Gary Cooper; Hate Ayn Rand. What Conflict!
Gary Cooper plays Howard Roark, an architect who does not compromise. He is an individualist, and since this is Ayn Rand's book, an objectivist. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Barbara Frederick
A classic..
After reading the book, there is a bit of disappointment watching the film since so many of the characters are either omitted or not developed. It should have been a mini-series. Read more
Published 1 month ago by FreeMoose
Great movie, I don't know what Ayn Rand's problem was
Ayn Rand wrote the screenplay for this 1949 adaptation of her 1943 novel, The Fountainhead, but was reportedly not too happy with the finished product. Read more
Published 2 months ago by steve_manassas
An all time Favorite
Sure it's overacted and not entirely plausible.....how can the jury find him not guilty when he admits to blowing up the building? Still one of my all time favorites.
Published 2 months ago by Gondor
Fountainhead movie
I loved the movie. It was very thought provoking. I have always liked Rands books and movies. She is a wonderful writer.
Published 3 months ago by pigglet
interesting
this story reminds me of the american spirit. it was good. would be a good movie for a class on the constitution.
Published 5 months ago by Kim E. Jones
Strong Movie
The FountainheadAtlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand's Fountainhead is a classic and this movie gives it justice. Having read the book is beneficial but not required to enjoy the movie. Read more
Ayn Rand's Fountainhead is a classic and this movie gives it justice. Having read the book is beneficial but not required to enjoy the movie. Read more
Published 5 months ago by M. Ferrell
Highly overrated
This is one of those unintentionally funny movies that gets funnier the more times you see it. We have a sneering villain who practically goes "Muh ha ha! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dwight Kemper
I am tired of terrible movies based on video games.
I understand that Silent Hill, like Resident Evil, were really popular games with interesting characters, but that doesn't mean they all need movies made about them. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Feyno Tal
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