In the first two films that premiered in 2011 and 2012 the question was always being asked: Who is John Galt? We were given lots of hints. He actually appeared in both films, played by actors Paul Johansson (who also directed part one) and D.B. Sweeney in part two. DBS has lots of TV and film credits, but is best remembered as Dish Boggett in the Lonesome Dove TV series. In the first two Atlas Shrugged films, Galt is always in the shadows.
The first two films tell the story of what happens when inventors and industrialists go on strike and disappear from society; something organized by the man in the shadows against a dystopian, authoritarian and collectivist state. Only two competent people seem to be hanging on and keeping their businesses alive. Dagny Taggart is one, trying to run the country’s biggest transcontinental railroad while fighting off her own government-owned boob of a brother. Hank Rearden is the other, an industrialist with a secret formula for a light-weight metal, much stronger and durable than steel.
While these two protagonists struggle to keep things going, the government does everything it can to stop achievement and run things the socialist way, sacrificing individuals for the good of all. As expected, these programs have unintended consequences, and lead to the opposite of what they set out to achieve.
Meanwhile, people all over are asking, “Who is John Galt?” – something akin to the statement “When the Messiah comes;” a savior whose arrival is immanently expected as a matter of faith. We, however, know he’s the mysterious character pulling the achievers and inventors out of society to secrete them in a place unknown. Another unseen face is the composer of the music for parts one and three. Elia Cmiral’s score added emotion and beauty to the series. His face is never seen, but he is heard by all.
Budget constraints have limited these films. ASIII finally answers the question, “Who is John Galt?” and is worth the wait. Kristoffer Polaha plays the elusive Galt, with Laura Regan as Dagny Taggart. Both do a commendable job.
Part three takes up right where the cliffhanger in part two ended. At the very beginning of the film, Galt finally comes out of the shadows for the first time. We find out where “the men of the mind” have been staying since Galt has started his unique quest “to stop the motor of the world.” We also get to see a working model of his very unique motor created outside government restraints.
Producer John Aglialoro obtained the rights to make this gigantic novel into a movie in the 1990s. He began producing the first film within a day or two of the deadline for losing those rights. In 2011 the first film premiered, followed by part two in 2012. Part three made its debut on Sept. 12.
I was privileged to see a special pre-premiere at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas the previous Saturday, just before the world premiere for the performers and families. This showing included the participation by all of the primary people who created the film. After the show we also had a chance to meet the main cast members. I am pleased to have had a chance to meet them.
You need to see parts one and two before watching the conclusion of the story. Both are available free online.
My personal introduction to Ayn Rand was late one Sunday night when I was 15 years old in 1961. I was channel surfing, and I stopped when I encountered the 1949 Gary Cooper film The Fountainhead. Even though the film was already 15 minutes into the story, I watched it to its conclusion at about 1 a.m. and paid the price the next day in school.
Still, the movie changed my life. Now, 53 years later, with the final episode of Atlas Shrugged brought to the screen, I feel a big chapter of my time on Earth is complete, thanks to Aglialoro, and co-producers Harmon Kaslow, Joan Carter and Scott DeSapio. I have been saying the answer to the question, “Who is John Galt,” is simple. He is a hero. I am glad to add the producers of this series to my list of heroes.
Rated 4.0 out of 4.0 reasons to why the question has to be asked, “Who is John Galt?”
