Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Introduction to Ayn Rand/Message for Post 9/11
Review: This was a pleasant surprise. I'm somewhat familiar with Rand, and found it to be informative without getting too involved or morose. It seems the circle of philosopers, students and naysayers miss the object of the film entirely. It is merely a study of Rand, highlighting certain outstanding aspects of her life and work. It is formatted to draw in those who have a passing interest to get a better understanding of this complex woman. The film lets the viewer better understand the unpopular views she held, that continue to ruffle feathers, especially in todays crippling politically correct environment. Her frank views of altruism and collectivism seem to be a "revelation" of sorts given the events surrounding 9/11. Those views expose the underlying truths about our enemies and ourselves. I'll let the viewer decide whom is engaging in what behavior. The most unappealing critiques on this film seem to be from Charismatic Christians and overtly hoity self-proclaimed philosophers/experts. It was insightful and a must see for anyone, especially Americans in these perious times.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: This was an incredible film of a remarkable woman. In particular, the film does a great job of showing more of the person behind the persona. It shows how she consistently applied her principles and how they furthered her life and gave her happiness.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: This was an incredible film of a remarkable woman. In particular, the film does a great job of showing more of the person behind the persona. It shows how she consistently applied her principles and how they furthered her life and gave her happiness.
Rating:
Summary: the face behind the soul
Review: This weekend I randomly rented "A Sense of Life" after reading the "Fountainhead" for the first time a few months ago. I was mesmerized. I felt her beliefs deep down in my soul. " Sense of Life" just completed the circle. I realized that we are never trapped unless we choose to be. This is our life! Don't tell me I should own a BMW when I like riding my bicycle or tell me to give to the poor when I don't even know how to give to myself. And there's so much more. We may not ever be able to be the perfect heroes that she portrays in her books, but we can be ourselves. That's pretty damn cool.
Rating:
Summary: A treat for Objectivists, a good starting point for others.
Review: To be honest, the other reviews on this page more than adequately sum up the excellence of this film and its subject. I'm only writing this review to counter the pseudo-intellectual git who only gave it one star, in the hopes of knocking the "overall" rating up to a full 5 stars. That is, of course, what it deserves. Go find out for yourself and ignore the naysayers.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible price
Review: Unless they start lowering their prices, Objectivist or not, no one will buy this video. Twenty or thirty dollars wouldn't be so bad, but sixty is just too much. Everyone should wait until the prices are lowered.
Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional View of Ayn's Life
Review: Watching this exhaustive documentary (2:23) was a real eye opener for me. While I am conversant with her works, I was quite ignorant of the details of her life. The documentary follows Ayn from her oppressed Russian beginnings to (believe it or not) the pasteboard sets of 30s Hollywood to the intellectual circles of New York. The contrast are amazing and one can't but conclude that Any Rand lived a very fortunate life.The commentaries are not very insightful - but only due to the exceptionally detailed information narrated by Sharon Gless. Strangely enough, one of the more dramatic events of her career; her affair with Nathaniel Branden, is glossed of in less than 15 seconds. So I recommend seeing "The Passion of Ayn Rand" for more on that story. A word to the wise: if you buy both this DVD and "The Passion of Ayn Rand", I suggest watching this one first. It will give you a more complete understanding of her background.
Rating: 
Summary: The Enigma of Ayn Rand
Review: While an undergraduate student in the 70's, I discovered the works of Ayn Rand. As a professor of humanities and philosophy I have used her works in classrooms, where students are introduced to the enigma of Rand's philosophy.
Rand was a better novelist than she ever was a philosopher and the contradictions in her philosophy become obvious upon semi-serious reflection.
Yet, this is not to detract from her absolute popularity even to the present day. The DVD "A Sense Of Life" is a wonderful glimpse into the life of one of the 20th century's great idealists. Though eliminating some critical elements of her life that genuinely contradicted her philosophical views, the film does a fair job of sharing the story of her life in the big picture.
In the absense of reading her works, the film will have less impact that it could. There is little real analysis of her works in the film and the glossing over does not do her justice.
But, in all fairness, the film is a biographical film, not a critique of her literature. And in the sense of a biographical film it is a fair and acurate protrayal.
Though many philosophers have disagreed with her work, (one of my undergraduate phil. profs once said of her work: "If I were ever going to use Ayn Rand's books in my class, it would be a class on 'Rabid Subjectivism'"...an opinion I strongly disagree with.
I respected Ayn Rand, both as a novelist and as a thinker who tried very hard to formulate her ideas in an age that downplayed reason and critical thinking...such that Bertrand Russell was refused a teaching position in New York because of his philosophical opinions. Even Russell had his philosophical difficulties.
The film captures important scenes from Rand's interviews, though I never understood why Phil Donahue would interview Ayn Rand, as I don't consider him a critical thinker at all...But that is what we are offered.
In conclusion, the film is well worth the money and time to watch it...you may even be inclined to actually read some of her books.
Rating:
Summary: The Enigma of Ayn Rand
Review: While an undergraduate student in the 70's, I discovered the works of Ayn Rand. As a professor of humanities and philosophy I have used her works in classrooms, where students are introduced to the enigma of Rand's philosophy.
Rand was a better novelist than she ever was a philosopher and the contradictions in her philosophy become obvious upon semi-serious reflection.
Yet, this is not to detract from her absolute popularity even to the present day. The DVD "A Sense Of Life" is a wonderful glimpse into the life of one of the 20th century's great idealists. Though eliminating some critical elements of her life that genuinely contradicted her philosophical views, the film does a fair job of sharing the story of her life in the big picture.
In the absense of reading her works, the film will have less impact that it could. There is little real analysis of her works in the film and the glossing over does not do her justice.
But, in all fairness, the film is a biographical film, not a critique of her literature. And in the sense of a biographical film it is a fair and acurate protrayal.
Though many philosophers have disagreed with her work, (one of my undergraduate phil. profs once said of her work: "If I were ever going to use Ayn Rand's books in my class, it would be a class on 'Rabid Subjectivism'"...an opinion I strongly disagree with.
I respected Ayn Rand, both as a novelist and as a thinker who tried very hard to formulate her ideas in an age that downplayed reason and critical thinking...such that Bertrand Russell was refused a teaching position in New York because of his philosophical opinions. Even Russell had his philosophical difficulties.
The film captures important scenes from Rand's interviews, though I never understood why Phil Donahue would interview Ayn Rand, as I don't consider him a critical thinker at all...But that is what we are offered.
In conclusion, the film is well worth the money and time to watch it...you may even be inclined to actually read some of her books.
Rating:
Summary: To the Gentleman who said, Ayn is a Karl Marx for the right-
Review: Wonderful film....a must see for objectivists, as well as those who are curious about Ayn Rand and her philosophy. I'd also like to comment to the gentleman who previously viewed this film and gave it the rating of one star- who said "Ayn Rand is a Karl Marx for the right"----If Ayn Rand were for a particular political group...would it not be a group who wants to limit the controls of government (such as the "right") as opposed to the "left?" Could you see any communists or "liberals" embracing Ayn Rand? (Even though most people from the right side of the street don't accept her views, I'm inclined to believe that no liberal does at all...Oh...and I have a recommendation for you that you might enjoy- it's in William F. Buckley's The Jeweler's Eye- and he reviewed Atlas Shrugged. (He, like you, compares Ayn Rand to Karl Marx, which I don't see other than the fact that they are both material based philosophies. If you wish to respond, you may contact me at ClaudiaGOP@aol.com. I'd be curious to know about your experiences with Nathaniel Branden (I am currently reading My Years With Ayn Rand)- and the reasons behind your hostile feelings towards objectivism.
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