Objectivist Movies

 

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compiled by Robert James Bidinotto
Club Coordinator, Institute for Objectivist Studies (IOS)

Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list of my favorite films.   For example, it doesn't include many of my favorite "screwball comedies," such as "Bringing Up Baby," and few of the well-written, thought-provoking "noir" entries that I really enjoy, such as "Laura," "Body Heat," "L.A.Confidential," or "Vertigo." Other darker films with wonderful plots, such as "Lone Star" and "Wings of the Dove," didn't make the cut, either. Rather, my list focuses more narrowly on films possessing some inspirational quality or uplifting element. Even the tragedies on my list have grand or idealistic aspirations, while the lighter-weight romances are, for all their fluff, wonderful emotional tonics. Another caveat: Many of the films cross categories. The "integrity" films, for instance, could easily have been listed under "independence." But I simply chose the category I most associate with a given entry, because of the main stresses in its story line or theme.  Caveats aside, enjoy!

Integrity

The Spirit of America

Redemption

A Man for All Seasons
The Fountainhead
Cyrano de Bergerac
High Noon
Chariots of Fire
On the Waterfront
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Boom Town
Mrs. Parkington
Sometimes a Great Notion
Field of Dreams
Sgt. York
A League of Their Own
Singin’ in the Rain
The Music Man
Moscow on the Hudson
Meet Me In St. Louis
The Natural
The Four Feathers
Shane
Good Will Hunting
Rocky (series)
The Verdict

 

Independent Men

Great Moral Conflicts

Irrepressible Courage

Hombre
Shenandoah
Hunt for Red October
Gattaca
Bronco Billy
Tucker
The Naked Jungle
The Edge
Bridge on the River Kwai
Gone With the Wind
Hamlet
Schindler’s List
Twelve Angry Men
Zulu
The Alamo
Glory
Mrs. Miniver
The Great Escape
Gunga Din
Spirit of St. Louis
Life Is Beautiful

 

Independent Women

Funny Girl
Dangerous Beauty
Auntie Mame
Unsinkable Molly Brown
The Sound of Music
Sense and Sensibility
Elizabeth R (miniseries)
Yentl
Little Women
Christopher Strong
Queen Christina

 

Justice

Celebrating the Mind

Grand Passions

The Count of Monte Cristo
Death Wish
Dirty Harry
Keeper of the Flame
Fury
Les Miserables
The Fugitive
The Winslow Boy
The Untouchables
No Name on the Bullet
High Plains Drifter
Pale Rider
Judgment at Nuremberg
Things to Come
October Sky
Apollo 13
Inherit the Wind
Story of Louis Pasteur
Lean on Me
The Miracle Worker
Edison, The Man
Romeo and Juliet
Somewhere in Time
Camelot
Camille
Love Letters
The English Patient
Stealing Heaven
Casablanca
Titanic
Wuthering Heights
Jane Eyre
Ghost
The Lion in Winter
We the Living
Truly, Madly, Deeply
Robin and Marian
The Way We Were

 

Light Romance

Holiday
Woman of the Year
Adam’s Rib
Sleepless in Seattle
The Thomas Crowne Affair
Pretty Woman
Chances Are
The Quiet Man
When Harry Met Sally
The Philadelphia Story
Alice Adams
Shakespeare in Love
While You Were Sleeping
The Truth About Cats and Dogs
My Best Friend’s Wedding
Much Ado About Nothing
Pride and Prejudice
Sabrina
Pat and Mike
Desk Set
Ninotchka
French Kiss
Working Girl
Moonstruck
The African Queen
Don Juan DeMarco
Holiday Inn

 

Heroic Fantasy

Children's Classics

Human Freedom

Star Wars (series)
Excalibur
Back to the Future
The Terminator
Terminator II
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Dr. No
From Russia With Love
GoldenEye
Die Hard
Where Eagles Dare
The Guns of Navarone
The Secret Garden
The NeverEnding Story
Babe
Toy Story
The Princess Bride
The Wizard of Oz
Treasure Island
Sleeping Beauty
The Little Mermaid
Beauty and the Beast
Peter Pan
Snow White
Dragonheart
E.T.
Superman
Roots (miniseries)
1776
Braveheart
Spartacus

Many of these films can be found at:

Suncoast Video (retail outlets)
Critic's Choice Video (mail order catalog) at (800) 367-7765
Movies and Memories (mail order catalog) at (800) 538-4200
Blockbuster Video (retail outlets), and online at www.blockbuster.com
Amazon.com, online at www.Amazon.com
Video Oyster, online at www.VideoOyster.com
Picture Palace, online at www.ids.net/picpal.index.html
Best Video, online at www.bestvideo.com

 

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Objectivism 101