Overview
A passionate journalist's journey leads him into the heart of revolution and personal turmoil.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Moderate
- passionate
- intellectually serious
- sweeping
- historical film night
- political cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an intellectually ambitious and emotionally intimate epic distinguished by its scope, brisk storytelling, cinematography, and central performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Reed and Louise Bryant's relationship remains central while the Bolshevik Revolution and international left-wing politics expand the story's scope.
The film follows journalist and activist John Reed alongside Louise Bryant through Greenwich Village, Russia, and revolutionary politics.
Reed's revolutionary fervor strains his relationship with Bryant as their ideals encounter personal ambition, infidelity, and historical upheaval.
Interview segments with surviving witnesses frame and contextualize the dramatized story of Reed and Bryant.
Films like Reds, and why
Doctor Zhivago
epic biographical drama combining political upheaval, intimate romance, and historical scope
The Last Emperor
romantic historical drama set against revolutionary conflict and ideological change
Lawrence of Arabia
New Hollywood historical epic balancing political conviction, romance, and personal disillusionment
Julia
intimate biographical romance shaped by radical politics and early twentieth-century social change
Movie Details
- Director
- Warren Beatty
- Release Date
- 1981-12-25
- Runtime
- 195 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (386)
Cast
- Warren Beatty
- Diane Keaton
- Edward Herrmann
- Jerzy Kosiński
- Jack Nicholson
- Paul Sorvino
- Maureen Stapleton
- Nicolas Coster
- M. Emmet Walsh
- Ian Wolfe
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Reds about?
- An intimate historical epic follows John Reed and Louise Bryant as revolutionary politics, romantic passion, and the upheaval of Russia collide.
- What is Reds like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Reds as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is Reds violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Reds as moderate.
- What did critics think of Reds?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an intellectually ambitious and emotionally intimate epic distinguished by its scope, brisk storytelling, cinematography, and central performances.
- Which films are like Reds?
- Films with a similar feel include Doctor Zhivago, The Last Emperor, Lawrence of Arabia, and Julia.
- How long is Reds?
- Reds runs 195 minutes.
- Where can I watch Reds?
- In United States, Reds streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
