Atlas Shrugged (page 3)

I enjoyed Atlas Shrugged a lot.

Rand was probably not a great writer, but she certainly was a fine storyteller, and able to explain her philosophy through an interesting story, which is not always easy. An atheist, a woman and a thinker - she was quite an interesting figure for her time.

I always wondered why this book wasn't made into a film. Maybe now it is, it seems.

It's funny, but when they asked college professors to list the 100 greatest books of the 20th Century at the new millenium, none of Rand's books made the list.

BUT, when they asked people in general what were the greatest books, Rand's Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead (based on Frank Lloyd Wright) were like in the top 10 of every list made!

Her philosophy (subjectivism, I think it's called) still has a lot of followers today and there is an international organization that promotes her ideas and publishes about them. I'm not sure that her personal life was quite as successful and focused as her writing might indicate. I understand she could be quite vindictive to anyone who crossed her. I think Nathanael Branden (?? going from memory here, which is not wise on my part!!) the psychologist and self-help book writer, was one of her followers and ex-lovers, ostracized when he displeased her.

S4

Seeker4

Oops!

The philosophy was Objectivism, which I would guess is just about the opposite of subjectivism!!

S4

purplesofa

http://www.baldwinent.com/home.html

Lionsgate has worldwide distribution rights to "Atlas Shrugged" Ayn Rand's most ambitious novel may finally be brought to the big screen after years of false starts. Lions gate has picked up worldwide distribution rights to "Atlas Shrugged" from Howard and Karen Baldwin ("Ray"), who will produce with John Aglialoro.

"Atlas Shrugged," which runs more than 1,100 pages, has faced a lengthy and circuitous journey to a film adaptation.

The Russian-born author's seminal tome, published in 1957, revolves around the economic collapse of the U.S. sometime in the future and espouses her individualistic philosophy of objectivism. The violent, apocalyptic ending has always posed a challenge but could prove especially so in the post-9/11 climate.

Howard Baldwin said some people have pigeonholed "Atlas" as better suited for a miniseries. That's why he sometimes pondered turning "Atlas" into two movies. In fact, a two-part script penned by James V. Hart ("Contact") for the Baldwins envisions "Atlas" as two pics, although it's likely to be reworked.

For years, producer Al Ruddy tried to make Rand's definitive book into a movie, attracting the interest of Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway at one point.

But while Rand was still alive, she had script approval, complicating the process. After the author's death in 1982, Ruddy continued his efforts and, in 1999, he inked a pact to produce "Atlas" as a miniseries for TNT. Ultimately, the deal faltered.

In 2003, the Baldwins acquired the film rights to the novel from Aglialoro, a New York businessman, after launching Crusader Entertainment with Philip Anschutz. Hart was hired at that time to adapt.

Anschutz, however, ultimately decided not to make the movie.

The Baldwins then took the project with them when they left Crusader and formed the Baldwin Entertainment Group.

"What we've always needed was a studio that had the same passion for this project that we and John have," said Baldwin,

Generally speaking, Lionsgate keeps production budgets below $25 million. "Atlas" is likely to cost north of $30 million, but the studio will reduce its exposure through international pre-sales and co-financing partners. Actors would likely take less money upfront -- a common practice for the indie.

Rand's individualistic and character-driven stories have captured the imagination of Hollywood before. Warner Bros. made "The Fountainhead," starring Gary Cooper as the maverick architect Howard Roark, in 1949.

Oliver Stone was attached to direct a remake of "Fountainhead" for Warner Bros. and Paramount, but the project has languished in development. Along the way, Pitt expressed interest in playing

kurtbethel

I read it 20 years ago, having previously read Anthem, another of her books.

Her writing style is very distinct. Characters are very well defined in an almost black and white way, but not overly simplistic. She tends to be overly verbose at times, such as Galt's radio speech had me thinking he should really get to the point NOW, but taken as a whole she does a superb job af defining ideas and concepts.

I think it would be challenging to get AS on to the big screen and have it make a profit. The story would have to be substantially reworked to play in visual form, which could alienate many people who enjoyed the book. Understand, a great film could be made that is based on the story, perhaps a miniseries or a trilogy. As for look and feel, I would be delighted with a retro futuristic look, keeping the railroads with a 50's feel and having some high tech so it is in a sort of neverland. Pulled off cleverly it could make it timeless. A paradox there? Those are all negotiable, the important thing is the characters, having them be who she made them to be, while having them get to the point when speaking. The important thing is to answer the question, who is John Galt?

CoonDawg

Rand takes almost 1000 pages of bad writing to make her case for the flawed ethical theory of "ethical egoism". She puts forth in all of her works a false choice between only doing what is in one's self intrests and betraying ones self through acts of altruism. I know there are many who seem to feel that eithical egoism has merit. In fact, Alan Greenspan is a Rand Devotee. Many top tier conservatives subscribe to Rand's philosophy. The biggest thing with Rand is to remember her roots. Her family were immigrants who lost their businesses in the Bolshevik revolution. Her theory of ethical egoism is nothing more than a severe reaction to her personal experience with communism.

I think Anthem explains her philosiphy just as succinctly, but does it in 105 pages instead of 900 +. Don't waste your time.

beksbks

Open mind

*to beksbks*

"Been reading the Pink Pages this morning?"

;-)

Did ya see the Blue Angels yesterday?

*to purps*

sorry for the Hi-Jack.

Yeah, Rand sucks. Wait! No she doesn't!

Yes she does!

I KNOW it's got to be one or the other.

Still trying to make up my black-and-white mind.

;-)

om

beksbks

Open Mind,

Are you kidding? I went to a Niners game today, and it opened with the Star Spangled Banner of course. As we reached "the laaaaand of the freeeeeeeeeeee", fireworks went off and the Blue Angels zoomed low over the stadium. I stood there with my hand over my heart, tears rollin' down my face.

Far far away from that witness kid who was so uncomfortable at those moments.

BizzyBee

able to explain her philosophy through an interesting story, which is not always easy.

True. Her novels were attractive vehicles for her philosophy, which often made her characters seem one-dimensional, black/white and super-human. No self-doubt or insecurity (not really - unless it was a set-up for demonstrating that straying from her philosophy of Objectivism led to moral confusion and discomfort.)

I waded through the Fountainhead 25 years ago and loved it - and Atlas Shrugged is on my list - after I plow through the increasing backlog of books I want to read.

New books on the list (and on the bookshelf above my head):

Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thos. Friedman
Give Me Liberty by Naomi Wolf
The Great Unraveling by Paul Krugman
The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud
The Children of Men by P. D. James
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
The War Within by Bob Woodward (1/5 the way through - tough sledding - so many players)
Jersey Potato Peel Society, etc. (Small book but it is not grabbing me)

Old books on the list and on the bookself:

The Gold Coast by Nelson DeMille
Roughing It by Mark Twain
The Greek Way by Edith Hamilton (Robert Kennedy apparently took this book with him everywhere)
The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kimberly Edwards
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

......and so many, many more!

Anyone read any of these?

Atlas Shrugged

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