Ten Days That Shook the World/Reds

[Red Rebel]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Days_that_Shook_the_World
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reds_(film)

These are great accounts written by John Reed, an American Communist, who was in Petrograd and witnessed the October Revolution. Just finished watching the movie and reading the book and it is highly recommended!

[Trystan]

I love the film. Awesome stuff. But I admit that, even though I've had it on the shelf for over a year, I still haven't finished the book. On the two occasions that I started it, I got bogged down by all the talk of this Central Committee and that Soviet, and that whatyamightcallit.

[Incendiarism]

Saw the movie first, liked it, read the book a while back and liked it.

[Pawn Power]

The film is epic- a great narrative and tremendously long.

Jack Nicholson, as Eugene O'Neill, is marvelously hilarious and Diane Keaton acts splendidly.

While there are great dramatic moments in the film others seem to leave something wanting. Particularly Reed's encounter with Louise on the war front after months of separation seems awkwardly placed. Nevertheless, a great movie.

[ComradeOm]

I've not seen Reds but Eisenstein's film October is excellent, if a little showy for my tastes. And Reid's book is of course a fantastic account of the Revolution. He somehow manages to convey the sheer excitement and heady enthusiasm of those revolutionary days

[Magdalen]

I can't say I've heard of Reds, but I'll make a point of seeking it out. A film based on Ten Days that Shook the World sounds very intriguing. Does anyone know what the background is of those who made it? It must have been pretty major if it starred Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton.

I first saw October when I was about 13, and my understanding of Marxism-Leninism (and film, for that matter) was very limited. I remember being completely baffled by the whole thing. Recently though, I managed to get hold of a DVD copy of it, and found it very absorbing. Although the film is more than 80 years old, it can still draw you in, and make you feel like you're witnessing the revolution unfold first-hand.

[Incendiarism]

I believe Warren Beatty was a fan of the history of the russian revolution and john reed. The film is interesting in that they splice in actual interviews of people who were alive during the time and personally knew Reed and Louise Bryant.

I heard that during filming Beatty actually explained to the crew about capitalists exploiting the workers and some time later they went on strike. :laugh: