A positive recollection from the cast and crew of "Reds" (1981), one of my favorite films of all time, is definitely one of the highest moments I've ever had while watching behind the scenes documentaries. Warren Beatty's labor of love (and one of the most daring works I could ever imagine because picture this: in the Reagan era, Cold War still strong with its course and here's an American director/writer/producer/actor making an epic film about an American supporter of the Communism early development in URSS after the czar's fall. That counts a lot and rewarded Beatty with several awards, among them his only Oscar) still wasn't surpassed by any great historical epic neither his memories about making the film. Along with him, there's the perspectives of editors Craig McKay and Dede Allen, cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, composer Stephen Sondheim, actors Edward Herrmann, Paul Sorvino and the best of them all, the great Jack Nicholson (who hardly ever gives interviews, and since him and Beatty are best pals, he made sure to appear here and provide his gratitude in being part of the film).
All the mentioned people talk about "Reds" with candor and a nice gleam in their eyes, honestly proud to be part of this great and spectacle experience. There's great trivia about it as well - there's a brief moment dedicated to showcase Jerzy Kosinski's cameo (better known as a novelist, he steals the show in the film), and the most details they ever remembered after all those years later when "Reds" was conceived. Not a wasted moment in this project but I'd like to see testimonies from Diane Keaton and Gene Hackman (specially him, talking about how exhausting and painful it was for him to keep repeating the same scene over and over again in his brief moment in the film). But despite their absence in this doc, it's still worthy of a view. 9/10
All the mentioned people talk about "Reds" with candor and a nice gleam in their eyes, honestly proud to be part of this great and spectacle experience. There's great trivia about it as well - there's a brief moment dedicated to showcase Jerzy Kosinski's cameo (better known as a novelist, he steals the show in the film), and the most details they ever remembered after all those years later when "Reds" was conceived. Not a wasted moment in this project but I'd like to see testimonies from Diane Keaton and Gene Hackman (specially him, talking about how exhausting and painful it was for him to keep repeating the same scene over and over again in his brief moment in the film). But despite their absence in this doc, it's still worthy of a view. 9/10