George's favorite 2011 cinematic experience already ...

uwe · March 24, 2011, 10:57:46 AM

I'd never thought I'd see the day that ole Ayn gets Hollywood treatment. And even a three part saga!

Love what the Financial Times quipped about her today:

"Rand's fiction was an expression of her philosophical ideas, an unforgiving version of free-market capitalism, like Adam Smith fuelled up on Nietzsche and amphetamines.

Not everyone is attracted to her world of great men who owe nothing to the inferior mass of humanity."

And this comment was good too:

"There are two novels that can change a bookish 14-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a life-long obsession with unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves Orcs."

Oh yeah, and of course: "High Priestess of Self-Interest".

Of course, to strengthen my collectivist immune system I'll watch it. Ayn Rand is the flu shot for socialism. If it gets a release here that is. If not, you'll have to send me the DVD, Herr Carlston!

Dave W · March 24, 2011, 01:26:43 PM

I'll watch it. As a novel, it was exciting.

Quotelike Adam Smith fuelled up on Nietzsche and amphetamines.

Whoever said that isn't really familiar with what Adam Smith actually wrote.

Ayn Rand actually expected that business leaders in the real world would take the message of the book to heart. She was bitterly disappointed that they didn't.

Don't forget that The Fountainhead was also made into a movie. She wrote the screenplay.

Highlander · March 24, 2011, 06:00:13 PM

Gary Cooper played the lead; I accidentally taped over my copy some years back...

The only part I had a problem with was John Galt's speech chapter... just read that the one time... the book I have read several times; given copies to people several times, too... it has now been at least 15 years since I read it though...

Quote from: uwe on March 24, 2011, 10:57:46 AM
And this comment was good too:

"There are two novels that can change a bookish 14-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a life-long obsession with unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves Orcs..."

err, I don't suppose I can get a retrial...?

Will political correctness delete the inclusion of the $ branded cigarettes...?

I think I'll be watching this one/two/three...

There is a question that is left begging... what great books have yet to come to the screen...

I'll start by offering "Stranger In A Strange Land..." and maybe "Childhood's End..."

OldManC · March 24, 2011, 06:43:15 PM

As someone who follows a religion and has a life long belief in God (which I won't mention here again out of respect for the rules

), my bona fides would have gotten me bounced from Ms. Rand's inner circle; but Uwe, you're right that I'm a huge fan of hers. I have found that most people discussing her philosophy (both fans and foes) either misconstrue her words or never actually bothered reading them, because their descriptions of that philosophy bear no resemblance to what I ever read (and I've read all her fiction and most of her later papers and the books they're collected in).

I even used Atlas Shrugged as my ongoing research subject for an English class I took recently. I'd read it so many times I didn't even have to read it again to get high marks on the various papers I wrote about it and an A in the class overall. Galt's speech even got some attention as the starting point for my final paper in the class. One more plus in Ms. Rand's column, as far as I'm concerned!

One last confession; in the early days of eBay I snagged first editions of both The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. I couldn't afford the collector grade copies but I'm happy to have the ones I got.

Highlander · March 24, 2011, 06:48:39 PM

I'm trying to remember the quote of hers about men of intellect...?

uwe · March 24, 2011, 07:03:06 PM

George, you're my hero just for admitting that you like her. Muchos guts. And congrats on that A!

And anybody is free here to believe in God and say so. Or not believe in him/her and say so as well. Or to not really be overly concerned whether he/she does or not. Like me. But I'm always open to surprises in the afterlife!

TBird1958 · March 24, 2011, 07:27:31 PM

I first read it in high school english, and really enjoyed it. Have read it at least twice since Yes, I like it!

uwe · March 24, 2011, 07:51:52 PM

Ok, that makes two. George and Mark. Cross-dressing and a penchant for laissez faire market economics are therefore related. In this forum of scientific proof. ; - )

It amazes me that Ayn Rand, who is virtually unknown in Europe, rings a bell with so many of you. And I don't mean that in the sense of endorsing her views, but by knowing her at all. She means nothing to even conservative circles in Germany and is likewise not burnt at the opinion stake in leftist quarters for the simple reason that no one knows her. A real difference in visibility and perception we have here. Très intriguing.

TBird1958 · March 24, 2011, 08:04:33 PM

I seem to recall that it's one of the "most read" books ever published.........

And yes. I had worn women's clothing by the time I read it

Nocturnal · March 24, 2011, 10:49:05 PM

This must be three looooong movies. That book is very long. Maybe Rush should get credit for Rand being so well known over here?

nofi · March 25, 2011, 05:47:27 AM

maybe rush limbaugh.

uwe · March 25, 2011, 07:52:15 AM

I'm probably the world's only person that only took note of Ayn Rand via the unabashed discipleship of a Canadion rock trio!

Or is there anybody else here who learned about her existence via the 2112 album sleeve credits? Goes to show that drummers (Neil Peart) can have political impact.

Nocturnal · March 25, 2011, 09:00:10 AM

Never heard of her before Rush. You are not alone!

Dave W · March 25, 2011, 09:01:09 AM

When I was in high school (well before Rush was known) just about everyone knew who Rand was, although that doesn't mean most had read her.

Bargeon · March 25, 2011, 02:06:09 PM

Quote from: uwe on March 24, 2011, 10:57:46 AM

I'd never thought I'd see the day that ole Ayn gets Hollywood treatment. And even a three part saga!

"The Fountainhead" was made into a movie with Gary Cooper, sometime in the 50s.
-Edit: I see someone caught this already. Here is a link
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041386/

It's been so long since I read the book or saw the movie that I can comment on how faithful it was. But Hollywood has not been known for keeping the faith. (that was not intended to be a religious comment)