Atlas Shrugged: Part I
Directed by Paul Johansson
Where to Watch Atlas Shrugged: Part I
- Mikael Morrell-StinsonMarch 3, 2026I think this movie gets a lot of flak for two reasons. One is the production quality, which seems to get worse with each part... The other is just because it's Atlas Shrugged. A story that's already very polarizing with most people hating it. I personally loved the book, and feel that most people who hate it missed the bigger picture, ultimately throwing the baby out with the 30 chapters of bathwater. But after watching the movies, I'm saddened to say it seems the people who loved the book also missed the bigger picture. I can forgive a cheap production, as long as a movie is either fun or thought provoking. The book Atlas Shrugged was thought provoking, and had that translated to film, it would have made for a great movie. Unfortunately the writers removed all the thought from the story and reduced it down to "free market good, big government bad, trust me bro". I believe if Ayn Rand saw this movie, she would hate it too. If you're curious, the bigger picture in Atlas Shrugged is this: your life is irreplaceable, craft your moral code to hold the preservation and sustaining of your life as its highest value. Trust your senses, think for yourself, don't let others come between you and your reason. The libertarian side of the equation is what Rand believed the world ought to look like if everyone held these values, and the story of the strike was simply to highlight the importance of valuing your brain and its capacity to think. As outlandish as the story is, it shows what happens when people who think are ultimately removed from the equation. This is what Atlas Shrugged is about, and this is what the writers/producers of these films ultimately missed. If you want solid proof of this, read part 3 chapter 7 "This is John Galt speaking" and compare that to this film trilogy's interpretation.
Atlas Shrugged: Part I Trivia
Atlas Shrugged: Part I was released on April 14, 2011.
Atlas Shrugged: Part I was directed by Paul Johansson.
Atlas Shrugged: Part I has a runtime of 1h 37m.
Atlas Shrugged: Part I was produced by Harmon Kaslow, John Aglialoro.
Railroad executive Dagny Taggart and steel mogul Henry Rearden form an alliance to fight the increasingly authoritarian government of the United States.
The key characters in Atlas Shrugged: Part I are Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling), Henry "Hank" Rearden (Grant Bowler), James Taggart (Matthew Marsden).
Atlas Shrugged: Part I is rated PG-13.
Atlas Shrugged: Part I is a Drama, Thriller, Science Fiction film.
Atlas Shrugged: Part I has an audience rating of 6.9 out of 10.
Atlas Shrugged: Part I had a budget of $20M.
Atlas Shrugged: Part I has made $4.6M at the box office.