Atlas Shrugged III: Who Is John Galt?

The patriarch of the 20th-century Motor Company has passed on, leaving his children at the helm with a novel approach: mandating that employees work tirelessly, yet salaries would be determined by individual necessity. Lab engineer John Galt (Kristoffer Polaha) is incensed and declares, "I'll halt the engine of the world."

Fast-forward twelve years, and the United States economy has plummeted into chaos. Airlines are grounded due to shortages, while railroads have regained dominance; overzealous regulation has led to financial catastrophe. Galt appears to be behind the mysterious disappearances of corporate bigwigs and experts. The latest vanishing act is that of Dagny Taggart (Laura Regan), executive officer of the colossal railroad empire, Taggart Transcontinental. Having pursued Galt in her private plane, she crashes hers and miraculously finds herself in the midst of Galt's Gulch.

As she recovers from her ordeal, Dagny encounters a community of erstwhile achievers who have abandoned their pursuits after coming to believe that government is enslaveing them. There's Midas Mulligan (Mark Moses), a former banker who has lost his way; Ragnar Danneskjöld (Eric Allan Kramer), a free spirit who only sinks ships seized by the government; and Francisco d'Anconia (Joaquim De Almeida), an enigmatic figure whose motives are shrouded in mystery. Each of these individuals shares their own reasons for abandoning the corporate world.

Dagny, determined to survive on her own terms, finds herself compelled to earn a living in the Gulch. She takes up employment as John's domestic servant, and it is here that she discovers the ingenious working model of his revolutionary motor, capable of powering not only the valley but also the entire West Coast.

Professor Akston imparts sage advice to Dagny: if she were the owner of Taggart Continental, she wouldn't hire James (Rob Morrow) as a worker. Instead, John and his cohorts have usurped the power, perpetuating the notion that it is acceptable to take from one individual and bestow upon another. They rely on the work ethic and integrity of their employees to spread this ideology, prompting Dagny to consider striking back against their unjust theories.

The residents of Galt's Gulch give Dagny a week to reflect on whether she wishes to remain among them or return to her former life. Meanwhile, Henry "Hank" Rearden (Rob Morrow) continues his desperate search for the missing Dagny. John Galt longs to re-enter the real world, but Francisco cautions against it, warning that government suspicions are growing regarding the enigmatic disappearances.

As Midas Mulligan's dire warnings of a collapsing railroad system fall on deaf ears, Dagny Taggart musters the determination to return to her post at the heart of the crisis. Meanwhile, the government has been secretly developing a top-secret project, codenamed "F", which will soon be used to nationalize the railroads and consolidate power in the hands of the state. The plan is endorsed by Dr. Floyd Ferris, the Associate Director of the State Science Institute, Wesley Mouch, the Head of the Bureau of Economic Planning, and the Head of State, Thompson.

As tensions rise, Minnesota's wheat harvests come to a grinding halt as diverted freight trains cease delivering crucial supplies to the east coast. The agricultural ecosystem teeters on the brink of collapse, prompting Dagny to plead her case passionately in an attempt to salvage the situation. However, her efforts are thwarted by James Taggart and his cohorts, including Cuffy Megis, who prioritize their own interests over the welfare of the people.

James Taggart vociferously objects to the nationalization of his railroad, but is swiftly silenced by the notion of serving the "greater good". Under the new regime, all railroads are forced to pool their revenues with the government, which distributes them according to perceived need. James manages to negotiate a share for Taggart Transcontinental based on track mileage, an arrangement that is inherently unfair given the railroad's extensive network.

As the crisis deepens, the copper wires controlling the railroad switches begin to malfunction, bringing the entire system to a standstill. Dagny seizes the initiative, developing a manual switching system to keep trains moving. Her path crosses with John Galt, who has been reduced to working as a lowly track worker in his own company. Their chance encounter leads to a passionate night in the tunnels.

In the midst of chaos, Hank Rearden's whereabouts become unknown, while Cherryl Taggart, once James' devoted companion, comes to realize that her partner is a charlatan. Her apology to Dagny is too little, too late, as she takes her own life in despair.

As Thompson prepares to address the nation, John Galt hijacks the broadcast, revealing the truth about the government's sinister plans to control science and industry. He exposes the attempt to shame individuals for working towards their own interests and families, rather than bowing to the whims of the state. In a powerful indictment of the status quo, John speaks directly to the people, highlighting the catastrophic consequences of allowing others to dictate one's life.

As the public's discontent with the central planning authority reaches a fever pitch, a collective yearning for a savior emerges, with Galt becoming the beacon of hope. Eloquent rallies erupt across the landscape, calling for his intervention to reform the government and bring about long-awaited change. Thompson, the Head of State (Peter Mackenzie), sensing an opportunity to co-opt this momentum, extends an olive branch to Galt, offering him a position in the government - specifically as a replacement for Mouch. However, Galt remains resolute in his rejection, refusing to compromise his values or principles.

Meanwhile, Thompson's intuition proves spot on as he surmises that Dagny (her identity intact) is privy to John's whereabouts and accordingly has her tailed by government agents. The inevitable consequence unfolds as Dagny unwittingly leads the authorities directly to John, culminating in his swift arrest.

In a subsequent turn of events, the government unleashes its most sinister tool - "Project F" - a ruthless tactic designed to extract information from Galt through psychological and physical torment. Yet, just as all hope seems lost, a group of stalwart individuals from the Gulch converges on the scene, determined to rescue their leader. As they successfully extricate Galt from his predicament, the pair makes their escape back to the safety of their underground refuge, mere moments before the power grid in New York City begins its catastrophic collapse, plunging the city into darkness and chaos.