Reds

Movie REDS Review By Richard E. Noble Reds is a combination documentary and romance film. John Reed is a famous/infamous American, radical, historical figure. He was an aspiring journalist, writer and poet during one of the most explosive, revolutionary periods in American history. He was an avid Communist and active in the U.S. for many years. He was in my hometown of Lawrence, MA in 1912 along with Big Bill Haywood and the IWW for the well documented Bread and Roses Strike. He was in Paterson, New Jersey, for the silk strike in 1913 and was a major influence in "The Pageant of the Paterson Strike," a radical union play put on to help raise money for the strikers and their families and promote worldwide attention to the cause of labor struggles throughout the world. He wrote about the Ludlow Massacre and other American Labor conflicts. He is most famous as an American journalist and writer for his book "Ten Days That Shook the World." He travelled to Russia after the Russian Army had walked off the battlefields of Europe in 1917 during the First World War. The entire Russian Army quit the "Capitalist" conflict and went home to take care of business. They would kill Czar Nicolas II, topple the centuries old regime and attempt by way of armed and violent revolution to establish a new democratic government. And John Reed was there to record the event. He was a Harvard graduate. The study of the Union Movement here in the U.S. and consequently the American Communist and Socialist parties, has been purposely neglected and even hidden from the American people. Yet the battle over workers' rights, social justice and human equality brought this nation to the brink of a second Civil War. The battle rages on today in our present political system. Hatred for the American worker and his right to earn a living wage is still prevalent in our political system and throughout the populace. The film story centers on the love story between John Reed and Louise Bryant. I was not aware of the extent of this gripping romance until seeing this movie. It was quite an outstanding love affair and Beatty does a fantastic job in documenting and recording it. It is definitely on the Doctor Zhivago level in story and film making. I bought the film because of its documentary significance and my interest in the American Labor Movement. There are interviews with famous radicals, writers, American Communist and Socialists. Despite all the negative propaganda the American Communists and Socialists and their political parties and organizations did more to promote fair pay, the elimination and exploitation of child labor, good working conditions, sexual equality and free speech here at home than all other groups, parties, armies and social movement combined. I feel that from an historical point of view knowing more about this time period and these famous radicals is crucial to a proper understanding of American history. Our present overall understanding of this time and these people and their movements is convoluted and distorted to say the least. This movie, besides its obvious Russian historical value, is American History. Watch what happened then and get a better understanding of what is happening around you here in America today. PS: Believe it or not I was looking for a copy of this film for years. I had the wrong director/producer and I couldn't find it. Finally I stumbled onto Warren Beatty and there it was. It was done quite well - not many movies in the United States with an American communist hero as the subject matter. Beatty concentrates on the love story involved, which is probably the only way that this subject would ever have been acceptable in America. I wish someone would do the life story of Karl Marks in the same manner. Marks' life involves a fantastic love story - along with his political, social, and economic disaster. It would make a wonderful movie - but would probably have as much box office success as Reds. I wanted this movie because of the history involved, but the great and human rendition of the love story involved was like frosting on the cake. This was a combination documentary, history lecture, and romantic love story. I would guess that this would have to be considered the greatest production of Beatty's career. It is quite a movie - and done in a balanced, non-judgemental way. I really enjoyed it. Richard Noble - The Hobo Philosopher - Author of: "America On Strike"

Great movie in blu-ray, all of the colors and details come through beautifully with this version of the film. It’s probably Beatty’s greatest achievement and has historical value with on screen interviews with people who knew Jake Reid. Yes it is a long movie but it is filled with memorable performances from Diane Keaton to Jack Nicholson and many others. The emotional payoff is one of the great romantic moments in film history. Yes I don’t proscribe to Beatty’s politics but this film, based on true events, is the way it was. People don’t have much interest in the history of our country or the world but they should. Highly recommended

The kind of film that has sadly just about disappeared - the personal, auteur driven epic. Very rarely if ever now will a studio give a film maker huge funds to do a risky, personal, not obviously commercial project, one that could never be made as a `small' film. While critics can nit pick, and a few of their points may be valid (both Beatty and Diane Keaton were at least 10 years older then their real life characters, making some behavior seem overly naive and juvenile instead of understandable for their youth and inexperience), overall this is a masterful combining of the big picture and the personal, and how the two interrelate in life. How do we deal with emotions that are much messier than our ideals of how to live? It explores the twin faces of revolution - the sometimes desperate need to fight to create a new order, but the danger that the new order may be just as corrupt as the old. Rare is the film that deeply, honestly explores both idealism and the dark realities of political compromise. Rarer still is the film that explores both in a personal way, without judgment, but with deep insight. Beautifully shot by Vitorio Storraro, wonderful production design. Keaton and Beatty are very good in the leads, and the supporting cast, down to the smallest role, is generally magnificent. Especially amazing are Maureen Stapleton as Emma Goldman, and Jack Nicholson in one of his very best (and most restrained) performances as Eugene O'Neil. He may capture the true pain of trying to live through the eyes of an artist as well as anyone I've ever seen. The Blu-ray is particularly beautiful. Thrilling, challenging, gorgeous, emotional and epic. They don't make 'em like this anymore, and that's our loss.

In spite of the fact that it does feel like a vanity project, this is the penulimate Warren Beatty movie. It's like watching a David Lean movie. The arguments that Beatty and Keaton are just marvelous and this is one of her performances and that's saying something. Also Jack Nicholson who practically steals every scene he's in. In fact, there's a large supporting cast at the top of their game and that says something about Beatty's skill as a director. He considerably slowed down his input after this, probably thinking how's he ever going to top this. My only real complaint are the witnesses, not that they're there, they serve their function well as a Greek chorus. But there's no identification and guessing their identies distracts from the movie. It was fun seeing Gene Hackman and Beatty share the screen again. My second favorite Beatty movie is "Bonnie and Clyde."

This is an interesting story about the only American to be buried in the Kremlin(?) in then communist Russia- John Reed. I have to admit I like this kind of film because it shows real people being moved by real world events. How they react or respond or resist to the power that overwhelms them makes for great cinama when it's done right. And this movie does it right. Directed by Warren Beatty who won the Oscar for his efforts the presentation of the turn of events suurounding the Communist Revolution is clearly presented. Some great performances by Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Maureen Stapleton add major 'meat' to the body of the narrative. Sometimes a little drawn-out especially when Beatty -playing the lead character John Reed - starts preaching to the Revolution leaders about his insistence that they not alter his writings ( he believes firmly in the power of communism and it's ability to save the American worker from the rule of the Capitalists and writes speeches for them about this ) and when he's trying to explain why Communism is a seemingly perfect economic system. But the scenes change quickly and the next stage in the revolution shows itself to be just as heartless as any other contrivance created by people determined to improve their economic plight. The Blu-ray image is very good, the sound is very good, the bigger-than-life feel you get watching these people torture themselves and others is palpable to the extreme at times but the action moves along. I've noticed when I watch movies like this I find myself really grasping the jist of the story only after having viewed it several times. This is that type of movie. Watch it once and shun it if you will. But the 'Reds' Revolution will call you back at some future date and believe me, you will respond with enthusiasm.

I saw this film when it first played at the Regency 1 Theatre in San Francisco in 1981. I was gratified when Warren Beatty won the Oscar for his work, but I was disappointed the film was not more universally praised and appreciated. Having spent several weeks in the Soviet Union upon graduating from college in 1967, I was stunned by both the historical detail as well as the emotional power of the film. We visited John Reed's place on the Kremlin wall, and we discussed aspects of his push for the acceptance of his beliefs in America. (I was on a college tour for credit -- Political Science and/or Art History -- of most of Europe at the time.) It seems unfortunate that this aspect of American history is not more universally understood and appreciated. It is both important and topical, considering all of the media coverage and discussion regarding our current president's use of Executive Privilege masked as "within the legal limits of the office" to give authority for surveillance of the citizenry. It is interesting to compare the ideology of John Reed with the current political climate. As a gay man concerned with our own equal rights quest, it's great to view the quest of another man somewhat outside the mainstream. I can only wish someone at the studio which released this film would wake up and give it a full, complete and extended release on DVD. IT IS QUITE LONG OVERDUE! ! ! Perhaps, Mr. Beatty is paying attention, and he will push for a proper remastering and release on DVD. It is a great film -- one of significance and with enormous emotional power. It also has an engaging and evocative musical score. IT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.

For those of us who appreciate movies that both entertain and educate, Warren Beatty's vastly underrated magnum opus "Reds" is a wonderful example of how well the two can be combined. Although it did not succeed at the box office, this magnificent spectacle concerning the involvement of an American socialist reporter in the Bolshevik revolution is a terrific movie, and also features Warren Beatty in the pivotal role of John Reed, an American journalist covering Soviet affairs for a progressive American socialist journal called "The Masses" who found his way into a series of important roles in the Soviet revolution and the regime that followed. Also found here is a especially memorable performance by Diane Keaton as the companion, love interest and protégé of Reed's who also served in a variety of roles in the new communist regime shortly after the revolution. This movie is largely based on Reed's moving autobiographical portrait of his personal experiences during the October revolution in his best selling book "Ten Days That Shook The World". The movie opens by exploring Reed's relationship with Keaton's early feminist character, and chronicles their growth and evolution toward a socialist perspective and an eventual commitment to political journalism that took them to the streets of Moscow in the days just preceding the October revolution. Also prominently featured in the movie is Jack Nicholson as Reed's intellectual friend, novelist and playwright Eugene O'Neil. This is a quite entertaining, sophisticated, and historically accurate effort to show America's own flirtation with unionism, socialism and communism and the reaction of more conservative forces within the business and civic community. The exploration of lifestyles and constant questioning of tradition and conformity make this a terrific teaching tool by showing how critically we can look at the lessons of history. Enjoy!

A great film that deserves a new transfer. The transfer of this film appears to be the same source as the one used for the DVD version. This is not to say that it doesn't look much better in Blu-Ray than it does on DVD. But it is not, evidently, a brand new transfer made expressly for Blu-Ray release. As happened in past generations of video standards, VHS to LaserDisc, LaserDisc to DVD, standard definition 480i to "high def" 1080i, and now 480p progressive scan DVD to 1080p Blu-Ray, the studios are cutting corners and, with many titles, re-issuing transfers that were "pretty good" for the prior standard on newer media without re-mastering them for the full potential of the newer standard. "Pretty good" is not why you buy a Blu-Ray, or pay a premium for it. Sadly, some major film titles are being "shoved out there" with on the new Blu-Ray format. This appears to be one of them. Although not nearly as bad as the abysmal "Silence Of the Lambs" and "Interview With The Vampire" BDs, the picture quality of "Reds" is still sub-par and underwhelming compared to what it could have been with a new-transfer made with BD release in mind.

This is wonderful movie. The story is based on a real life journalist (Jack Reed), who athough from a wealthy family, has/had compassion for the underdog, the class of citizenry who toil for nothing. At that time in history, prior to World War 1, the average worker toiled with no decent wages nor benefits in the story (in reality) - earning about 20 cents per hour. John Reed the protagonist takes on a new mission, and becomes mesmerized with the idea of Communism and social justice for the worker. Little does he know, that when he arrives in Russia there is dissention and, I believe (though some historians say to contrary) that he becomes disillusioned with the concept. At one time he is imprisoned. There is an extended love story with Bohemian writer, Louis Bryant. I thought the amorous scenes were too long and unnecessary. The re-creation of that era though, was stunning in the background, costumes, plus the idea of revolutionary changes which left a lasting legacy for all of mankind even, to this day. In the story, as well as in reality, John (Jack Reed) dies too young in Russia; it was said because of incarceration and the inabilty to get/receive medication. Warren Beatty was brilliant, and, I think executed one of his best performances, whereby the audience "took him" as a very serious, extremely talented actor and producer etc. He certainly is multi faceted and it was displayed in this marvelous movie! Highly recommend!

Good to have a BluRay of this wonderful film. Beware it has none of the extras of the DVD.

This was a film of which I had only seen snatches in the past and was keen to see in its entirety. An excellent movie which is probably underestimated. First class performances from Warren Beatty, who also directs, and Diane Keaton interspersed with reminiscences from some of those who remember the aftermath of the Russian revolution. Fine musical score by the incomparable Stephen Sondheim.

La calidad del Blu-ray es bastante buena, no hay mucho que decir. La película en sí es una muy buena representación de los conflictos entre la revolución rusa (y subsecuentes movimientos apoyados por los soviéticos) y los ideales del comunismo por los que inició la revolución en parte. Todo esto acompañado de una cinematografía épica con un estilo similar a Lawrence of Arabia

Der Film setzt dem amerikanischen Journalisten John Reed - Autor von "10 Tage die die Welt veränderten" und einer der wenigen US-Amerikaner die an der Kremlmauer beerdigt sind - ein würdiges Denkmal. Erstaunlich ist das Entstehungsjahr 1981 - die vom Antikommunismus geprägte Reagan-Regierung begann die Welt zu verändern - in der Warren Beatty als eine Art zweiter Orson Welles als Produzent, Regisseur, Drehbuchautor und Hauptdarseller das heikle Unterfangen bewältigte. Das fertige Werk überzeugt biographisch und im Hinblick auf die künstlerische Umsetzung und dürfte wohl die beste Darstellung politischer Zusammenhänge und idiologischer Konflikte in den USA zwischen 1916 und 1921 sein, einer Zeit als es in den USA noch eine machtvolle Linke gab. Die eingeschnittenen Kommentare von seinerzeit noch lebenden Zeitzeugen wie Scott Nearing, George Seldes, Will Durant, Hamilton Fish III und Henry Miller u.a. geben dem Film eine quasi Dokumentarischen Charakter.