7.1/10
7,398
198 user 30 critic

The Fountainhead (1949)

An uncompromising, visionary architect struggles to maintain his integrity and individualism despite personal, professional and economic pressures to conform to popular standards.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay), (novel)
Reviews
Learn more

People who liked this also liked... 

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.7/10 X  

Railroad executive Dagny Taggart and steel mogul Henry Rearden form an alliance to fight the increasingly authoritarian government of the United States.

Director: Paul Johansson
Stars: Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden
Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.4/10 X  

Railroad owner Dagny Taggart and steel mogul Henry Rearden search desperately for the inventor of a revolutionary motor as the U.S. government continues to spread its control over the national economy.

Director: John Putch
Stars: Samantha Mathis, Jason Beghe, Esai Morales
Documentary | Biography
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.8/10 X  

Ayn Rand was born in 1905 in St. Petersberg, Russia. She escaped to America in 1926 amidst the rise of Soviet Communism. She remained in the United States for the rest of her life, where ... See full summary »

Director: Michael Paxton
Stars: Sharon Gless, Michael S. Berliner, Harry Binswanger
Noc weselna (1935)
Drama | Romance
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.7/10 X  

Because his finances are low and he is seeking background for a new book, author Tony Barratt and his wife Dora return to his country home in Conneecticut. While he is finding a theme for ... See full summary »

Director: King Vidor
Stars: Gary Cooper, Anna Sten, Ralph Bellamy
Edit

Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Chairman
...
Alvah Scarret
Edit

Storyline

Individualistic and idealistic architect Howard Roark is expelled from college because his designs fail to fit with existing architectural thinking. He seems unemployable but finally lands a job with like-minded Henry Cameron, however within a few years Cameron drinks himself to death, warning Roark that the same fate awaits unless he compromises his ideals. Roark is determined to retain his artistic integrity at all costs. Written by Col Needham <col@imdb.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

No Man Takes What's Mine ! See more »

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Certificate:

See all certifications »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

2 July 1949 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Le rebelle  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

The foyer and inner office of the "New York Civic Opera Company" in the film was first used as the reception room and office of Jerome Cowan's character, Carlton Towne in Czerwcowa narzeczona (1948). See more »

Goofs

When Dominique is taking the construction elevator to the top of the skyscraper, the camera (as if from Dominique's perspective) zooms in slowly to the top of the building but there is no elevator shaft. See more »

Quotes

Gail Wynand: I give the public what it wants - including your column, Mr. Toohey!
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Dirty Dancing (1987) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Reviews

 
Oil and Water
25 May 2011 | by (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews

I fear that giving Ayn Rand full control over what was said on screen turned what might have been an interesting film into nothing more than an extension of her book. Now that might sound a good thing, but film and book are two different media that rarely sit comfortably with one another. Strangely it is this refusal to compromise, an important point in the book, that is this films biggest flaw.

While the acting is fine, aside from Coopers and Neal's in my opinion, the dialogue is stilted and stands out of place on screen, almost to the point of preaching rather than aiding the development of the story.

This might be simply a sign of the times, after all this was made in 1948, but this film stands out in my mind as perhaps the pinnacle of 'straight from the book to film' type of writing.

The film isn't subtle by any means, its point is pushed down your throat time and time again, the price of having your writer push an agenda.

It seems like every other line is a speech rather than a genuine conversation, with constant swings back and forth from over the top melodrama to meaningless contrite phrases.

As a book, without the aid of background music and the delivery of a host of different actors I'm sure this works fine, but as a film it just becomes noise with all meaning lost.


8 of 9 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
I tried. I really, really tried... spamdumpj
How is it objectivist to destroy another's property? twr1985
Modern Casting (Remake of The Fountainhead) pmccann847
2112 Anyone? radiosonde
Irony of Individualism jimmyoh
Roark and income taxes jmcghee001
Discuss The Fountainhead (1949) on the IMDb message boards »

Contribute to This Page

Create a character page for:
?