Shocking typo in DVD and Blu-ray cover art for the Atlas Shrugged movie

Posted on November 11, 2011 11:54 am UTC by Joshua Zader

As reader Seabee77 noted in the comments, anyone even vaguely familiar with Ayn Rand’s philosophy will be shocked by this typo in the promotional notes on the back cover of the DVD and Blu-ray releases currently being sold through major retail outlets:

AYN RAND’s timeless novel of courage and self-sacrifice [sic] comes to life for a new millennium.

The producers are on top of the problem, and Communications Director Scott DeSapio says they’ll be issuing a press release on the topic very shortly.

Through their website, consumers can request a corrected title sheet free of charge. The new title sheet will more accurately read “AYN RAND’s timeless novel of rational self-interest comes to life…”

Of course, you may want to keep the old title sheet — if only as a collector’s item.

Apparently the “Special Edition” versions sold through the movie’s official website were unaffected by this typo.

UPDATE: For more information, see the producers’ press release on the topic.

About Joshua Zader

Joshua Zader is co-founder of Atlas Web Development and founder of The Atlasphere, a networking directory and dating service for admirers of Ayn Rand's novels with over 20,000 members from around the world.
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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1155877415 Michael AtlasMovie Brown

    They did it on purpose for free advertising. :)

    • http://www.zader.com Joshua Zader

      You think so? That’s not the impression I get.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1155877415 Michael AtlasMovie Brown

        I was kinda sort kidding. However, that error was out months before it was picked up by the media and the blogs. (I pointed it out at the time.) My hypothesis: it was an accident by a FOX employee, echoing Glenn Beck’s rhetoric around that time – and Aglialoro and Kaslow thought “Hmmm…”

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1155877415 Michael AtlasMovie Brown

    They did it on purpose for free advertising. :)

    • http://www.zader.com Joshua Zader

      You think so? That’s not the impression I get.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1155877415 Michael AtlasMovie Brown

        I was kinda sort kidding. However, that error was out months before it was picked up by the media and the blogs. (I pointed it out at the time.) My hypothesis: it was an accident by a FOX employee, echoing Glenn Beck’s rhetoric around that time – and Aglialoro and Kaslow thought “Hmmm…”

  • Leon Brozyna

    There’s another, smaller goof, in the closed captioning.  Where Mouch is announcing a moratorium on all railroad bonds, the captioning shows it as railroad lines.

    On a positive note, just look at the tight integration that was accomplished in just one scene … where Dagny’s scrambling up the hillside to get a view of the fire, there’s a voiceover where John Galt invites Ellis Wyatt to Atlantis. It’s at that point that Dagny, seeing the full extent of the blaze screams out her anguished cry of “No.”  It conveys to the viewer not only her response to the scene before her but also her refusal to give up the world to the looters by going on strike.

  • Leon Brozyna

    There’s another, smaller goof, in the closed captioning.  Where Mouch is announcing a moratorium on all railroad bonds, the captioning shows it as railroad lines.

    On a positive note, just look at the tight integration that was accomplished in just one scene … where Dagny’s scrambling up the hillside to get a view of the fire, there’s a voiceover where John Galt invites Ellis Wyatt to Atlantis. It’s at that point that Dagny, seeing the full extent of the blaze screams out her anguished cry of “No.”  It conveys to the viewer not only her response to the scene before her but also her refusal to give up the world to the looters by going on strike.

  • http://www.facebook.com/zoegolightly Zoe Golightly

    Mistakes happen. Debate aside however, I really loved this movie and was sad to see it didn’t get a wider release in theatres, but am so happy to hear that IT’S DOING SO WELL ON DVD!!! That’s great news. 
    I work with, and am a good friend of Jsu Garcia, who plays Francisco D’Anconia in the film.
    I worked with @Jsu Garcia on the movie ‘The Wayshower’­, (inspired by the life of John-Roger – NY Times #1 bestsellin­g author and spiritual teacher) with Jsu Garcia, (and favorites Academy Award nominees Eric Roberts and Sally Kirkland) was incredible and I really hope it gets massive attention when it’s released next March. 
    The Wayshower will definitely invite it’s fair share of controvers­y like Atlas Shrugged – as it also brings a new message of finding one’s own answers within and moving forward in the world with all the integrity and ruthlessne­ss one possesses in order to align with what one feels is right.
    I have so much respect for these production­s that are so courageous and I believe, are definitely helping to lift the consciousn­ess of the planet in a profound way.
    The Wayshower will be released next March and like Atlas Shrugged will rely on fans to really support theatre screenings­. Check it out, particular­ly if you do yoga, meditation or have your own form of spiritual practice – this film will definitely speak to you: http://the­wayshower.­com (you can sign up for free fanletter incl free screening invites)

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1155877415 Michael AtlasMovie Brown

      Hey Zoe! Good to see you here. Very curious to see the movie!

  • http://www.facebook.com/zoegolightly Zoe Golightly

    Mistakes happen. Debate aside however, I really loved this movie and was sad to see it didn’t get a wider release in theatres, but am so happy to hear that IT’S DOING SO WELL ON DVD!!! That’s great news. 
    I work with, and am a good friend of Jsu Garcia, who plays Francisco D’Anconia in the film.
    I worked with @Jsu Garcia on the movie ‘The Wayshower’­, (inspired by the life of John-Roger – NY Times #1 bestsellin­g author and spiritual teacher) with Jsu Garcia, (and favorites Academy Award nominees Eric Roberts and Sally Kirkland) was incredible and I really hope it gets massive attention when it’s released next March. 
    The Wayshower will definitely invite it’s fair share of controvers­y like Atlas Shrugged – as it also brings a new message of finding one’s own answers within and moving forward in the world with all the integrity and ruthlessne­ss one possesses in order to align with what one feels is right.
    I have so much respect for these production­s that are so courageous and I believe, are definitely helping to lift the consciousn­ess of the planet in a profound way.
    The Wayshower will be released next March and like Atlas Shrugged will rely on fans to really support theatre screenings­. Check it out, particular­ly if you do yoga, meditation or have your own form of spiritual practice – this film will definitely speak to you: http://the­wayshower.­com (you can sign up for free fanletter incl free screening invites)

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1155877415 Michael AtlasMovie Brown

      Hey Zoe! Good to see you here. Very curious to see the movie!

  • Anonymous

    HOW did this get past the producers? Don’t they read copy before signing off on it?!

  • KateGladstone

    HOW did this get past the producers? Don’t they read copy before signing off on it?!

  • Anonymous

    I don’t understand…can someone explain exactly what is wrong with that statement?

    • http://www.zader.com Joshua Zader

      From your question, I would assume you haven’t yet read her novel “Atlas Shrugged.” If so, you’re in for a treat once you read it. But start with “The Fountainhead” first, as it’s generally considered a better first introduction to her ideas, and provides some groundwork for better appreciating “Atlas Shrugged.”

      In any case, to answer your question, Ayn Rand strongly opposed the view that there is any virtue in “sacrifice,” and would never have characterized her characters’ courageous acts as acts of self-sacrifice. For more on her views about sacrifice, see this page of the Ayn Rand lexicon:

      http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/sacrifice.html

  • isosceles

    I don’t understand…can someone explain exactly what is wrong with that statement?

    • http://www.zader.com Joshua Zader

      From your question, I would assume you haven’t yet read her novel “Atlas Shrugged.” If so, you’re in for a treat once you read it. But start with “The Fountainhead” first, as it’s generally considered a better first introduction to her ideas, and provides some groundwork for better appreciating “Atlas Shrugged.”

      In any case, to answer your question, Ayn Rand strongly opposed the view that there is any virtue in “sacrifice,” and would never have characterized her characters’ courageous acts as acts of self-sacrifice. For more on her views about sacrifice, see this page of the Ayn Rand lexicon:

      http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/sacrifice.html

  • http://learntoenjoylosing.wordpress.com/ Chuck

    I saw the movie on big screen, and I rented it tonight. I thought it was
    very odd to see “self-sacrifice”… so I looked it up and found this
    website. Great movie, and I am looking forward to the second part in
    October of 2012.

    Cheers, 

  • http://learntoenjoylosing.wordpress.com/ Chuck

    I saw the movie on big screen, and I rented it tonight. I thought it was
    very odd to see “self-sacrifice”… so I looked it up and found this
    website. Great movie, and I am looking forward to the second part in
    October of 2012.

    Cheers, 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MHVBOOHDVMHVPV2USCYUPUPMBE Norman

    This error demonstrates just how well the media, college professors, politicians, religionists, et al have infected the American mind with the virtue of self-sacrifice. A very understandible error indeed!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MHVBOOHDVMHVPV2USCYUPUPMBE Norman

    This error demonstrates just how well the media, college professors, politicians, religionists, et al have infected the American mind with the virtue of self-sacrifice. A very understandible error indeed!

  • http://6th-resurrection.myopenid.com/ BLACK HAT

    Last week the RACTRACK gas station across the street from my office had the video in the BLOCBUSTER rental box. It was gone yesterday. Why is that? I was going to rent it for the week-end to show my wife the movie (hasn’t read the book) and BLOCKBUSTER had REMOVED the movie.