35

Thank you John Aglialoro.

Posted by sdesapio 9 years, 8 months ago to Movies
109 comments | Share | Best of... | Flag

On September 6th, 2014, I stood up in front of a packed house in Las Vegas, NV, and stated, “This is not the movie that’s been playing in your head since you closed the back cover. This is however, without question, a celebration of Ayn Rand’s ideas.”

That packed house was filled with some of the staunchest Ayn Rand advocates on Earth. It was the “Galt’s Gulch Online Producers Only Premiere” of Atlas Shrugged: Who is John Galt? and it was the first official showing of the film.

I then proceeded to introduce the other VIP guests on hand at the event, Producer Harmon Kaslow, Consultant David Kelley, Associate Producer Joan Carter and then, as I introduced Producer John Aglialoro, the words came out of my mouth, “the man of the hour.”

It was not a fitting introduction.

In 1991, a Library of Congress poll revealed that Atlas Shrugged is the second most influential book ever written.

Second only to the Bible.

That’s a hard legacy to live up to.

Imagine the courage required to take on the job of adapting such a book to film.

Imagine the passion for the ideas expressed in that book that would compel you to spend millions of dollars of your own money to propagate those ideas to as many people as possible.

Imagine the integrity of the man who would take on such an endeavor - knowing full well that he would be met with, not only resistance, but harsh criticism every step of the way.

Imagine knowing you would never live up to the legacy of the book but that you had to try… you had to give it everything you had... because it just had to be done - the ideas just had to make their way to the masses - come hell or high water.

Imagine.

Most of us will never know a battle like that of Producer John Aglialoro’s 22 year battle to bring Atlas Shrugged to the silver screen - 22 years of “No.”, “It can’t be done.”, “You’ll never make your money back.” 22 years of climbing an unscalable mountain.

I, however, have had the distinct honor of standing by this man for the past 4 years… watching him knock down barrier after barrier through sheer determination… listening to him wax poetic of his love for Ayn Rand and the importance of Atlas Shrugged… walking with him, steadfast as the walls around him collapsed - at times due to sabotage from within. All the while, never once considering stopping.

I am proud. Proud of every step, of every word, and of every moment this man has permitted me to be a part of. It has been an awe inspiring adventure and I would trade it for nothing.

Are the movies perfect? No. Do they live up to the legacy of the book? Of course not. But, what they do accomplish, what they do deliver on, is the ushering of Ayn Rand’s ideas to the forefront of public discourse. The sales of the book will go up this year, more people will be introduced to Ayn Rand’s ideas, and those ideas will be propagated further and wider than they ever have... just like with the release of each of the previous Atlas Shrugged films.

Atlas Shrugged: Who is John Galt?, the final film in the trilogy, is now in theaters. If you’re in an area where the film is playing, grab a friend, head to the theater, and take part in this wonderful moment in the history of Atlas Shrugged. Buy some popcorn, introduce your friends to Ayn Rand, and say thank you to John Aglialoro - the man who made it all possible.

Thank you John Aglialoro. Thank you.


Scott DeSapio, Associate Producer
Atlas Shrugged


All Comments


Previous comments...   You are currently on page 4.
  • Posted by NealS 9 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Anyone know how to download that book without signing up for the Kindle stuff? Can it be done just onto my computer?
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by H2ungar123 9 years, 8 months ago
    Thanks so much Mr. Aglialoro. Ayn Rand would love you for this. We already do.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by guymeilleur 9 years, 8 months ago
    My wife and I saw it Saturday and I thought it was very well done. It's a tough plot to set to film, even if there was a big production budget, so expectations were not extremely high. It clearly met its objective of popularizing the content in a respectful and respectable way. I think Ayn Rand (been her fan since the '60's) would be happy with it. Thanks All!
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by lneil 9 years, 8 months ago
    Thankyou Mr. Aglialoro. Ayn would love you for your successful efforts.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by ZONIE2018 9 years, 8 months ago
    John-

    Thank you and everyone involved for this magnificent project. I cannot tell you how proud we all are of you.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by lneil 9 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Of all the Spanish speaking counties Chile would be the one I would love to visit and stay for awhile. Chile
    has the "most" of any country in the world.....for instance........the most shoreline, the highest, driest, wettest, most deverse, the island farthest from land, etc..Bernard O'Higgans would be proud of you and your great Country. Lee, Colorado, USA.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by gerstj 9 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    This almost seems like the work of a seminar poster. It appears to be their first post and yes, taking off the bumper sticker seems way overly dramatic.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by pmcconathy 9 years, 8 months ago
    I have read the book twice. I was very disappointed when I realized there were NO theaters in KY showing the newest movie. Luckily I am traveling to NC next week and will watch it at one of the 5 cities where it is currently showing. Still can't believe it didn't show in Ky where the first two movies were actually shown here in Lexington KY.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by JCLanier 9 years, 8 months ago
    The power of the transformation from pages of a book to the reality of the screen allows us one step closer to the realization that this philosophy can be applied and lived- today, that Rand's objectivist characters can be real- today, can live and work among us... They are not relegated to pages in a book, they are not a fantasy.

    I loved all three productions. If I was Midas Mulligan I would make sure you got paid and made the profit you so deserve.

    I will always be inspired by the journey you chose to take- truly arduous. I will never forget your efforts. Thank you, thank you, thank you. -J.C. Lanier
    Reply | Permalink  
  • 13
    Posted by $ dmchatham 9 years, 8 months ago
    I waited 50 years (from 1961 to 2011) for Part 1. Now I've seen all three parts and I think the wait was worth it. Thank you, John Aglialoro.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by desimarie23 9 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Removal of the bumper sticker eh? Seems dramatic. Am I to understand that the movie that you disliked so much also changed your view on the book and the philosophy? That sticker stands for more than just the movie...its a frame of mind.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by rainbowstew 9 years, 8 months ago
    I saw it last Saturday afternoon. I thought Ayn Rand would have been proud of it.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by RichardPoirier 9 years, 8 months ago
    I watched the Part 3 last Friday in Burbank, CA. I was delighted with the results and left the theatre feeling very energetic and motivated. I read Atlas Shrugged in 1971 and met Ayn Rand at the Ford Hall Forum in Boston in 1974. I believe she would have been very pleased that John Aglialoro brought her novel and ideas to a new generation audience. It was equally gratifying for her long-time intellectual supporters. I am sure there were many challenges in making this movie a reality. The thought that crossed my mind while watching the film was the obvious necessity of using different actors in the three film parts. I was happy to see that John Aglialoro didn’t allow the unavailability of certain talent to get in his way of completing the second and third parts. Ayn Rand understood the necessity of overcoming obstacles. It is a tribute to Aglialoro that he did too and succeeded very ably. Although the talent was great, in the end it was the story’s concept that really mattered.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by disabledveterangoarmy 9 years, 8 months ago
    Atlas Shrugged III is a Great Movie. I understood the film from start to finish. The young people today may not have a common frame of reference but I do because the Massive Oppressive Government Regulations that are hurting small business today did not exist when I was growing up half a century ago. ObamaCare and EPA stifle growth and innovation.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by PedroLarach 9 years, 8 months ago
    I am from Chile, a country that is a living proof of what a group of John Galt's can do when they take control of a destroyed economy (here we called them "Chicago Boys").

    I have never had the honor to meet John Aglialoro, but I have heard Jose Piñera, one of our Founding Fathers, praise him as a great man and a great friend. As a devoted randian and libertarian, I have fully enjoyed the magnificent two first parts of this trilogy and I look forward to the third one. I am in awe of what Mr. Aglialoro has been able to accomplish.

    Three cheers for him, from Chile.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by mdk2608 9 years, 8 months ago
    The world needs more people like you and the rest of the staff Scott. I thank you, my children thank you, those yet to be born thank you, and soon the world will say thank you. For someone not believing in the life after, Rand lives because of her mind and a little help from you all.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • -3
    Posted by mcintire1029 9 years, 8 months ago
    Who is John Galt was the worst let down since i cant remember when. The cast, camera work, etc....looked like a B movie from the 70's. The love scene was out of place, we left before the ending and i went to the parking lot and took off my "who is John Galt" bumper sticker. Everyone involved in this movie should be embarrassed.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by bridgetlynn 9 years, 8 months ago
    Beautifully put.

    What I love about the movies is that they really resonate with people who have never read the book, but are receptive to Rand's ideas. They will be watched for decades.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Naomib 9 years, 8 months ago
    What a beautiful post! My hat goes off to all of you who made this possible. It's such an important film xo
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by RimCountry 9 years, 8 months ago
    Haven't seen it yet (we're kinda rural here), but we will... I wouldn't miss it for anything. Dagny never gave up, John Aglialoro never gave up, and neither will I... the best of this world is worth saving... it's worth fighting for... and it deserves our best efforts.

    I support our local state-level representatives in reducing the scope and authority of the federal government and returning power to the States.

    While we still have a choice, we should do so... we can either sit and bitch about it, or we can get behind a project that has the potential to actually change the world... our world.

    The Convention of States Project - It's a solution as big as the problem.

    https://conventionofstates.com/
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by dcnotpc 9 years, 8 months ago
    Keep up the great work! It is encouraging to see the growing community of Producers!
    Reply | Permalink  
  • 11
    Posted by RussH 9 years, 8 months ago
    I saw the movie on opening day, and I loved it. Planning on taking some friends to see it. Also, John, thanks for the opportunity to design the Ragnar logo for the movie. My mom's favorite book is Atlas Shrugged and she turned me on to it years ago. I was so proud to be able to do this for her and show her the logo. Thanks again.

    Russ Herschler
    Reply | Permalink  
  • 10
    Posted by spdsk8 9 years, 8 months ago
    As Midas Mulligan said to Dagney in the Gulch: Good job.
    Thank you for making this movie. I agree with you that this will help the cause of liberty. I defend your effort in public fora. I will see your movie four times before it leaves the theaters. Thank you. Ignore the critics, even if they are passionate Rand fans. You know you did good work, and that is all that is important.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by TheEggman411 9 years, 8 months ago
    Thank you, John Aglialoro. A deep bow is more than deserved: it is earned. :-)
    Reply | Permalink  

  • Comment hidden. Undo