The Fountainhead

  • 1949
  • NR
  • 112m
movieMx RATING
6.8/10153
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Fountainhead Review

Last updated: January 30, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 30, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Fountainhead (1949) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Fountainhead features a noteworthy lineup led by Gary Cooper . Supported by the likes of Patricia Neal and Raymond Massey , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Fountainhead (1949) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Fountainhead stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Fountainhead

Quick Plot Summary: The Fountainhead is a Drama, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Fountainhead

Ending Breakdown: The Fountainhead concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Fountainhead reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Fountainhead?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
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Top Cast: The Fountainhead

All Cast & Crew →
Gary Cooper
Gary CooperHoward Roark
Patricia Neal
Patricia NealDominique Francon
Raymond Massey
Raymond MasseyGail Wynand
Kent Smith
Kent SmithPeter Keating
Robert Douglas
Robert DouglasElsworth Toohey
Henry Hull
Henry HullHenry Cameron
Ray Collins
Ray CollinsRoger Enright
Moroni Olsen
Moroni OlsenChairman
Jerome Cowan
Jerome CowanAlvah Scarret
Bob Alden
Bob AldenNewsboy (uncredited)
John Alvin
John AlvinYoung Intellectual (uncredited)
Morris Ankrum
Morris AnkrumProsecutor (uncredited)
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Where to Watch The Fountainhead Online?

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The Fountainhead Parents Guide & Age Rating

1949 Advisory
NR

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Fountainhead age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Fountainhead is rated NR. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Fountainhead is 112 minutes (1h 52m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Fountainhead is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1949 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Fountainhead. Rating: 6.8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Fountainhead worth watching?

The Fountainhead is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Fountainhead parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Fountainhead identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Fountainhead?

The total duration of The Fountainhead is 112 minutes, which is approximately 1h 52m long.

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Critic Reviews for The Fountainhead

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.8
The Fountainhead
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