I stumbled upon "Red Bells Part II: Ten Days That Shook the World" by chance, and to my surprise, found myself entranced by what can only be described as a cinematic relic of a bygone era. Having never heard of it, I expected little more than a dusty history lesson, but what I encountered was a production of unexpectedly high caliber. The cinematography is nothing short of spectacular, with its meticulous street scenes teeming with extras and an ocean of red flags - a visual symphony that breathes life into events we usually associate with grainy black-and-white photos.
My curiosity was piqued primarily because I had read John Reed's account of those fateful days, so I went in bracing myself for a plot that might trudge along like a documentary. Thankfully, the film clings to Reed's chronicle like a lifeline, eschewing melodrama in favor of a more subdued retelling. The actors portraying Louise Bryant and John Reed do so with commendable restraint, even if they are draped in costumes that would make a czar envious. It's worth noting, however, that this film bears little resemblance to the far superior Reds, which managed to marry historical breadth with personal depth - two elements notably absent here.
Of course, no Soviet-backed production would be complete without some carefully curated omissions. While the film does show Reed's inevitable demise, it tiptoes around his growing disillusionment with the Bolshevik regime, a truth too inconvenient for this piece of deluxe propaganda. Yet, despite its shortcomings, I can't help but recommend the film - if only for its outstanding production values and as a visual passport to the ten days that supposedly shook the world. For those interested in Russian history, it offers a vivid, if somewhat sanitized, glimpse of the revolution in all its red-tinted glory.
