The Fountainhead

Based on Ayn Rand's best-selling novel. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Studio Distribution Servi
• Number of Disks: 1
• Weight: 0.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Enjoy this movie for what it is; ain't gonna get no better.

Howard Roark, an independent architect, is determined to do it his way or not at all. To make ends meet during lean times, he gets a day job at a rock quarry. There he meets his match and is beaten by the boss’s daughter, Dominique Francon (Patricia Neal). They both seem to know more of the world than most people do. She works for a newspaper and punishes herself for falling in love with Howard, and marries her boss, Gail Wynand (Raymond Massey). This does not deter Howard from building Gail and Dominique their dream house. Eventually getting the chance of a lifetime to build low-income housing through another architect, he jumps at the chance if it means only doing it the Howard Roark way. Watch the movie to find out what happens and why he is such a stickler for the work of the individual. You can argue about film versus book until the cows come home. You could say, "Let’s make this with Helen Mirren and Mel Gibson." You can even have Turner colorize it. Well, folks, it is not going to happen; so, do not waste your time wishing, and look at this movie. This is a faithful summary (as opposed to an adaptation). In that, you get the essence of the book with a few saved speeches. All the actors get their point across to you: this includes Gary Cooper as Howard Roark (he purposely looks stoic and amused) and Patricia Neal as Dominique (looking frustrated and aloof). The scenes, black and white with exaggerated camera angles, portray the story very well. The Frank Lloyd Wright architecture adds to the period. The tone of the movie gives the impression that this was copied from a stage play where one person at a time talks and no one overlaps until the first person is finished. All in all, the entire movie is worth viewing. And viewing again for the details.