7.1/10
7,898
200 user 31 critic

The Fountainhead (1949)

Approved | | Drama, Romance | 2 July 1949 (USA)
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

On Disc

at Amazon

Videos

Photos

Learn more

People who liked this also liked... 

Fountainhead (1956)
Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.8/10 X  
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
Stars: Ineko Arima, Keiji Sada, Yôko Katsuragi
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
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6/10 X  

'Ayn Rand & the Prophecy of Atlas Shrugged is a feature length documentary film that examines the resurging interest in Ayn Rand's epic and controversial 1957 novel and the validity of its dire prediction for America.

Director: Chris Mortensen
Stars: John Allison, Clifford Asness, Rajia Baroudi
Documentary
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.5/10 X  

Revealing the surprising life story of one of the world's most influential minds, this unprecedented film weaves together Ayn Rand's own recollections and reflections, providing a new understanding of her inspirations and influences.

Directors: Robert Anderson, John Little
Stars: Phil Donahue, Ayn Rand, Mike Wallace
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:

Approved | 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 more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

The view from Gail Wynand's office appears to be the view from the dome of the former New York World Building on Park Row, which contained the office of publisher Joseph Pulitzer Jr., the World's publisher. Despite this, the character of Gail Wynand is believed to be based on Pulitzer's arch-rival William Randolph Hearst. See more »

Goofs

When Roark is drilling rock in the quarry, he is doing so without any eye protection. See more »

Quotes

Howard Roark: [delivering the closing statements of his own defense] Thousands of years ago the first man discovered how to make fire. He was probably burned at the stake he had taught his brothers to light, but he left them a gift they had not conceived of, and he lifted darkness off the earth. Through out the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision. The great creators, the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors, stood alone against ...
[...]
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Lost in America (1985) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Reviews

 
Oil and Water
25 May 2011 | by 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.


11 of 13 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
Review this title | See all 200 user reviews »

Contribute to This Page

What Are the Sundance Stars Watching?

"The IMDb Show" sits down with stars of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival to find out their favorite Sundance movies, including such films as L.I.E., An Education, and Whiplash.

Watch now