Monday, March 27, 2017

My 150 Favorite Films - #5

Reds (1981)

Film icon and maverick Warren Beatty, co-wrote, co-produced, directed and starred in this epic movie based on the lives of American journalists John Reed and Louise Bryant and their involvement with each other and with the Russian revolution of 1917. Diane Keaton costars, along with Jack Nicholson and Maureen Stapleton, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. What sets this film apart from other Hollywood epics is the use of real-life "witnesses," who were active participants in the events recalled in this film and relate the political chaos of the times. Winner of the Academy Awards for Cinematography (Vittorio Storaro) and Best Director, Reds narrowly missed out on Best Film, losing to Chariots of Fire.