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Weigh in on the New Atlas Shrugged Movie

Posted by GaltsGulch 8 years, 7 months ago to The Gulch: General
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Ayn Rand's masterpiece Atlas Shrugged is just under 1200 pages. And, no matter how hard we try, there is simply no way to squeeze it all into a single movie verbatim.

Now that preliminary work has begun on the new Atlas Shrugged movie, there are some tough decisions to be made before things can really get underway. One of which is, what storylines from the book would be considered not critical to Ayn Rand's message as a whole?

So, you tell us, what scenes can be left out and still result in a movie that does Rand's message justice?


All Comments

  • Posted by TheLightHouse 8 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    No they were not bad, I just wanted to see the same main characters... My opinion Part 2 was the best, I watch that one more than the other 2.
    They need to get those main characters from Part 2 to act in the new movie. That would be perfect for me.
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  • Posted by TheLightHouse 8 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I would like to see all the cast that played in Part 2 in the new movie. I loved Dagney Taggert and Francisco, I thought they were a perfect fit.
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  • Posted by TheLightHouse 8 years, 6 months ago
    They can leave out the conversation in the train, prior to the crash. Show only a two second shot of the train with smoke coming out of the tunnel, and then cut to Dagney Taggart.
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  • Posted by ChestyPuller 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, but the lower end of society still doesn't get streaming due to cost, how many of that 'growing' group do we want to leave to be brainwashed by the public school, Black Lives Matter and community organizers [aka communists]?

    That's where the balance comes in; we need to get as many 'good' souls together as possible to strengthen the resolve of this 'Great Experiment' know as these United States of America.

    I do not know the answer; I believe no one truly does..but, which crossroads do you take?
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  • Posted by ChestyPuller 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Ah, but thirty episodes does not have to span 3yrs...of filming; it could be completed in a year and a half releasing the episodes over the 3 yrs. This gives the characters more strength in the role and less chance of dropping out and having to 'change faces', it also keeps the cost down.

    Characters can't demand higher salary's after the 1st or 2nd season.

    This process is a movie type production which the director runs the whole season; knowing their episode cut offs which are split out in the film room.

    This form would make for a better show because the Actors remain 'strong' in their characters during the complete filming making for a much higher believability for the viewer; giving the series higher ratings.

    It could take a '3 movie' filming which should last no more than 3 months each with a one month break [hopefully negotiated down to less time off to keep the 'flow' of the characters at a high level]
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  • Posted by Temlakos 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Remember; those young ones will throw in with the streaming services. The cable model is dying. When a program has one minute of advertising for every two of actual programming, you know it's part of a dying medium. Furthermore, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and, of course, Netflix have produced original programming for their respective services.
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  • Posted by ChestyPuller 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Ah, but a mini series can be cancelled early as will just as the JonBenet Ramsey Story was..the last section was cancelled
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  • Posted by ChestyPuller 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I would suggest a mix of both; I would market it as a 4-6 part mini series spinning off into a television show Part I would be the Mini Series; the gotcha' if you will then Part II & III the Television show

    I prefer NetFlix, Amazon Prime over Cable or Satellite but that choice is a balance between audience size and monetary return.

    We must remember to realize that the more young progressive minds we can reach the greater the conversion to a true Founders republic will can ascertain.

    Fight on Freedom Fighters...FIGHT ON!
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  • Posted by radical 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    The contribution to Friends of Social Progress is the best episode in Atlas 1. It is a "must include."
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  • Posted by 1musictime 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Continuing, We The Living.It's cinematic length may be a clue to of Atlas Shrugged.Or it may be a division of two. If a division of two, may be greater number two gets in theaters close to the time of number one. Maybe the same time.One cinema 2.5 times is 7.5 x's 60".3 x's is 9 x's 60", or 450" or 540"., maybe more than double the length of Gone With The Wind.A guess is a number may love 7.5 and 9. Or it may be two at 50% of each of the previous.Then 3.75 and 4.5,Or, 225" or 270". Each of them lengthy, too, not decreasing the interest of certain people.Three at 33% each then it's 150" or 180" each. It's resembling three Lord Of The Rings or three Hobbits. They are not selling low. Maybe note the three's if on the larger screen.A television series is possible.Each 60" or 120". There can be mixtures. There can be television and cinema simultaneously.Maybe two version sets.Will A.A. Abrams, Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg,George Lucas, James Cameron, or one equal or greater like to direct? One may note the possible star quality, choices, and interests forty-four years before.A production company in Italy to make the cinematic version at present?Or Norway?If one cinema, maybe make 180" like it's 450" or 540".Then, too, one may note duration note the most important or prime. One can note 100% of the stories, then note the "time length".It may be from top screen writing, knowledge and comprehension of the book and characters and agreements and zeal of success and goodness,combining with more than familiarities of television, cinema, and screen and story adaptations, and additional details.Also note the very greatest of the recent screen versions. It's also possibly knowing the television and cinema theater audience and selling.There may be areas of not caring, like Howard Roark of various people, not to interfere with his architectural design lusts.Then the possibility of what's concise.Book noninclusions, or notes, sketches, and possibilities, may also get television and cinema versions, or the like of deletes or additional scenes and entries, possible alternates, "on" DVD's.Also at the start or during and/or interrupting credits.
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  • Posted by 1musictime 8 years, 7 months ago
    Also to add a production company in Italy makes a version of We The Living. It's either 180" or two cinemas,each 90" or 120".Coordinating with the Atlas Shrugged book length, either believing Atlas Shrugged is three times or ~ 2.5 times the length, it may appear a no less than good quality cinema and its lenght may be ~2.5 to 3 times of the cinema of We
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  • Posted by MJJVictory 8 years, 7 months ago
    Begin the movie (better yet mini-series) with "This is John Galt Speaking" and super-impose the entire speech over top of the storyline.
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  • Posted by Doug_Ort 8 years, 7 months ago
    Things I loved about the trilogy:

    The first ride on the John Galt Line.

    Dagny's entry into the coffee shop after her conversation with Akston. "I won't stop looking…" and the man she's looking for is sitting right there. I love dramatic irony. My eyes well up every time I watch this scene.

    Rearden's first meeting with Leonard Small

    Francisco's interaction with the party goers at James Taggart's wedding.

    Dagny's conversation with Jeff Allen. I can feel her mind working, putting all the pieces together. Another case of damp eyes for me.

    "What are your demands? Nothing,…."

    Galt's meeting with Thompson.

    .
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  • Posted by Doug_Ort 8 years, 7 months ago
    Weaknesses in the plot of the trilogy:

    "If your new metal works…." She has already viewed the specs and knows it will "work".

    "If I get nothing…" Rearden has been given a "generous" offer from the SSI. He needs another reason for refusing the order, something like "I don't do business with looters."

    "You're my forever." Surely there's a better way to word this. I felt embarrassed for Dagny when she said it.

    It would be better at the end of Part I if Galt's words were exactly what he said earlier to Wyatt.

    The end of Part II and the review at beginning of Part III should have been the same.

    "So you invented the motor?" Dagny has already figured out who Galt is in her conversation with Jeff Allen.
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  • Posted by Doug_Ort 8 years, 7 months ago
    Things I disliked with the characterization of Dagny in the trilogy:

    Rudeness in disconnecting James during his phone calls. Yeah, he's a looter, but she could still treat him civilly. Acting in an uncivil way reduces the attractiveness of her character.

    Throwing the porch furniture carelessly onto the lawn. There's never any excuse for trashing perfectly good stuff. If she doesn't want it any more, give it to someone who might appreciate it.
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  • Posted by Doug_Ort 8 years, 7 months ago
    Scenes I hated to see cut from the trilogy:

    Dagny's calling for volunteers to take the first run on the John Galt Line.

    Dagny's radio "confession" to her affair with Rearden.

    Lillian discovering that Hank has divorced her with zero assets.
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  • Posted by Doug_Ort 8 years, 7 months ago
    Diminish the role of Cheryl. Yes, her wedding is the perfect scene for Francisco to expound on the nature of money, but the concern for her suicide is maudlin. I know Rand wrote it that way, but in my view it wasn't an important part of the novel. Anyone who would kill herself because someone didn't meet her hopes doesn't deserve my concern.
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  • Posted by Leonid 8 years, 7 months ago
    I can submit the whole screenplay 80 pages only which includes all essential features of the book
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  • Posted by DeanK 8 years, 7 months ago
    I was going to say no matter how long a movie it's worth the presentation, but the mini series makes sense. It would be great to have more people ask, "who's John Galt". I'm 70, its the youts (Cousin Vinny)that need to be inspired.
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  • Posted by strugatsky 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That part is essential, as it describes not only sick personal relationships, but is also an allegory for charitable organizations - the bloodsuckers that they are.
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