Ein Mann wie Sprengstoff (1949)
45KEin Mann wie Sprengstoff: Directed by King Vidor. With Gary Cooper, Patricia Neal, Raymond Massey, Kent Smith. An uncompromising, visionary architect struggles to maintain his integrity and individualism despite personal, professional and economic pressures to conform to popular standards.
“Movie based on Ayn Randu0026#39;s book. Idealistic architect Howard Roark (Gary Cooper) wonu0026#39;t compromise his designs for society. He also falls for beautiful Dominique Francon (Patricia Neal).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNow the original novel is brilliant…but over 1,000 pages and quite dense. The studio (wisely) got Rand to write the screenplay for this–I suspect a studio writer would have ruined it. She manages to cut down the book and get her message across perfectly. The movie is also well-directed–full of incredible sets and designs. It has a pounding lush score and some truly hysterical sexual imagery involving Cooper and Neal.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe acting though is another story. Neal is fantastic–the perfect choice for Dominique–sexy, smart and strong. Raymond Massey is also good as Gail Wynand. Unfortunately Gary Cooper is terrible as Roark. He was hand-picked by Rand to play the role–but I think she picked him because she was attracted to him. Heu0026#39;s wooden all through the movie and his unsure line readings are pretty painful. (Purportedly he didnu0026#39;t understand the script–it shows). Still, the movie survives despite him. I can truthfully only give it a 9–with a better actor I might give this a 10.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBe warned–this is not an easy movie. Itu0026#39;s all talk, runs almost 2 hours and deals with idealism and values. Some people will be bored silly by this but I find it fascinating. Recommended.”
