Which major film tells the real life story of a man known as John Reed?

Reds is a 1981 American epic historical drama co-written, produced, and directed by Warren Beatty. The picture centers on the life and career of John Reed, the journalist and writer who chronicled the Russian Revolution in his book Ten Days That Shook the World.

In June 2008, the American Film Institute revealed "AFI's 10 Top 10"–the best ten films in ten "classic" American film genres–after polling over 1,500 people from the creative community. Reds came in ninth in the epic genre.

The plot centers around American journalist John Reed, who journeys to Russia to document the Bolshevik Revolution and returns a revolutionary. His fervor for left-wing politics leads him to Louise Bryant, then married, who will become a feminist icon and activist. Politics at home become more complicated as the rift grows between reality and Reed's ideals. Bryant takes up with a cynical playwright, and Reed returns to Russia, where his health declines.