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12-13-2005, 7:59 PM Erik C. Christensen Joined on 12-08-2005 Posts 13 Atlas Shrugged movie status Is it possible that the film version of Atlas Shrugged will be finished by 2007 for a 50th anniversary release? I would say that whoever is writing the screenplay has a heavy burden to carry in terms of correctly portraying it's moral and ethical Objectivist message qua storyline.    Report

12-14-2005, 1:43 PM Robert Bidinotto Joined on 12-08-2005 Posts 3 Re: Atlas Shrugged movie status Erik, this has been MUCH discussed on the previous TAS Web site, and I hope the discussion continues here. I may have something to report on this in an upcoming issue of The New Individualist. Right now I can only say that "things are happening." It's the RESULTS we need to see before we can issue a report.    Report

04-04-2006, 5:57 PM Ronald Joined on 04-05-2006 Posts 5 Re: Atlas Shrugged movie status A heavy burden indeed. I personally don't see how it can be done. Atlas Shrugged incapsulizes, (is that a word?) way too much information. There's so much more to AS than just a great plot and theme, what-have-you. The only way that it could be done proper, is in a series written script. So my question is this: How many hours of script would it take? A very big undertaking indeed.    Report

04-07-2006, 12:01 PM mikelanyard Joined on 04-07-2006 Posts 8 Re: Atlas Shrugged movie status There have been many attempts to adopt Atlas Shrugged to a movie or TV mini-series format, but none of these have been completed. Personally, I doubt that any such adaptation could convey even the essential points brought out in that book. I'm afraid that this book's message is too radical to survive that kind of treatment. To give an example from a previous failed attempt, Leonard Peikoff (in a Q&A from one of his recorded lectures from at least ten years ago) stated that he was asked by the producers to prepare a condensation of "Galt's Speech" that would last no more than five minutes! Bear in mind that a voice reading of this section lasts for about two hours. Peikoff warned his audience, "not to expect too much." I guess so!    Report

05-20-2006, 11:34 AM crossi Joined on 05-20-2006 Posts 1 Re: Atlas Shrugged movie status I am a new member of the Society and currently reading Atlas Shrugged for the third time. I have often wondered about a movie version of the book and was pleased to find out it is at least in the works. I do believe the essential points could be conveyed in film. Who currently owns the flm rights and what progress has been made? crossi    Report

06-13-2006, 1:54 PM Larksnest Joined on 06-13-2006 Posts 1 Re: Atlas Shrugged movie status I'm a new member, but I first read Atlas Shrugged in 1967, and have reread it many times. I do not think it's important to convey every aspect of Atlas Shrugged, or even Galt's speech, in a movie; it is critically important to convey the opposing "sense(s) of life" of the protagonists. It might be helpful to your expectations to reread The Romantic Manifesto. My model for what I would like to see in the Atlas Shrugged movie is the 2002 version of  The Count of Monte Christo, starring Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce. Paraphrasing what that screenwriter said of his work: "I was true to the essence of  the book, but if you want the details of the book, you should read the book." And incidentally, I think Caviezel would make a terrific John Galt. As Edmond Dantes, he begins as, and returns to, the face without pain, or fear, or guilt. I love that movie, and even in my dotage it provides inspiration!       Report

07-10-2006, 3:39 PM FeirFactor Joined on 07-11-2006 Posts 1 Re: Atlas Shrugged movie status What did the Baldwins say about the timeline and progress of the Atlas movie when they spoke at the Summer Seminar last Friday (July 7)?  Did any of the other principals speak?  If so, who and what did they say?  Is it going to be possible to purchase the audio of that anytime soon?    Report

07-10-2006, 4:41 PM Clarence Hardy Joined on 01-09-2006 Posts 18 Re: Atlas Shrugged movie status The audio should be available in a month or so, it really was a great talk.  You would have to buy it to get all the nitty gritty but the gist of it is that the script is done...for part I!  The plan is to make it a trilogy so they can do as much justice to the story as possiable.  The next stage is to find a director and they are in the process of doing so now.  Keep checking back with our home page to find the latest updates.    Report

07-21-2008, 4:45 PM ramkis Joined on 07-22-2008 Posts 2 Re: Atlas Shrugged movie status You are right. In fact every word of his speech is important and should not be skipped for sake of loosing the clarity and thought that has gone into writing that speech (leave apart the fact that not everyone will understand or try to comprehend the true meaning and be able to justify and support his cause). So what i feel is : the film should have the speech in entirety but could span 2 or 3 seperate DVD's (DVD version) and when shown in theatres - it could be for 4 hours atleast. Maybe this cannot happen, since it may become boring to many. I love the book and have read it many times, and i would love the see the movie basically for his speech. PS: Sorry for my late comment. I just joined this esteemed group. Thanks, Ramakrishnan S.    Report

08-04-2008, 9:20 PM R_Crusoe Joined on 08-04-2008 Posts 7 Re: Atlas Shrugged movie status I think it should be possible to convey the essential meaning of the book in a successful and engaging film. I think that this would necessarily involve significant changes to create a comprehensible plot into a comfortable running time. And I'm not sure I have faith in hollywood to make those changes. Consider the film Blade Runner. It departs from Philip K. ***'s novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" in a huge way. But, I believe, it still delivers on the theme: What is it to be human? An Atlas Shrugged film adaptation could not be a word for word, page for page translation of the novel. This would be a terrible film, and would not play to the inherent strengths and weaknesses of the medium. To adapt is to change. The film should be different than the book; ideally it would compliment Ayn Rand's work and spread interest in her ideas; not attempt to imitate and replace the novel. Or change her message. Which I think is the concern many of us hold. -Crusoe EDIT - Poor Phillip K Dic.k; forever doomed to be a victim of automated forum filters.    Report

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