American Reds: The Failed Revolution (2016)
A documentary charting the turbulent century-long journey of the Communist Party USA, from radical promise to Cold War collapse.
American Reds: The Failed Revolution - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2016
- Directed by: Richard Wormser
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary, History
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: American Public Television, Twin Cities Public Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
American Reds: The Failed Revolution - Plot
The documentary AMERICAN REDS provides a historical overview of 20th century Communism and the growth, decline and contemporary relevance of the Communist Party, USA (CPUSA). Since its founding in 1919, the CPUSA has championed the struggles for democracy, labor rights, women's equality, and racial justice. During its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, it attracted millions of Americans to support its causes and almost 100,000 men and women to enlist in its ranks. The film begins with the Party's emergence as a small militant sect in the 1920s and documents its rise to the foremost radical group in the United States during the Great Depression, fighting against racism, sexism and fascism, as well as for the rights of workers to organize. It ends with the decline of the Party during the Cold War under the assaults of the FBI and anti-communist crusades.
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American Reds: The Failed Revolution - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Richard Wormser
Main Cast
- Wayne June
- Gus Hall
- Gil Green
- Henry Winston
- Bettina Aptheker
- Sam Darcy
- Robert Schrank
Writers
- Richard Wormser
Producers
- Richard Wormser
- Bill Jersey
American Reds: The Failed Revolution - FAQs
What is American Reds: The Failed Revolution about?
American Reds: The Failed Revolution traces the full arc of the Communist Party USA, from its founding in 1919 through its Depression-era peak — when it drew nearly 100,000 members — to its eventual decline under FBI pressure and Cold War anti-communist campaigns. It's a nuanced look at a deeply controversial chapter of American political history.
Why did the Communist Party USA ultimately fail?
The film points to a combination of relentless FBI surveillance, government persecution, and the broader anti-communist crusades of the Cold War era as the key forces that dismantled the party. Internal divisions and the global discrediting of Soviet-style communism also played significant roles in its collapse.
What did the Communist Party USA actually stand for?
Beyond its Marxist ideology, the CPUSA championed causes many Americans now take for granted — labor rights, racial equality, women's rights, and anti-fascism. During the 1930s and 1940s, it was at the forefront of organizing workers and fighting segregation, attracting millions of sympathizers well beyond its formal membership.
Who directed American Reds: The Failed Revolution?
Richard Wormser directed, wrote, and produced the film. He also served as the sole writer, giving the documentary a consistent, focused perspective throughout. The film was produced in association with American Public Television and Twin Cities Public Television.
Who appears in American Reds: The Failed Revolution?
The documentary features Wayne June as narrator alongside archival appearances and interviews with key figures including former CPUSA general secretary Gus Hall, party leaders Gil Green and Henry Winston, activist and scholar Bettina Aptheker, Sam Darcy, and labor organizer Robert Schrank.
Is American Reds: The Failed Revolution based on real events?
Absolutely — this is a historical documentary grounded entirely in real events. It draws on archival footage, firsthand testimonies, and documented history to reconstruct the CPUSA's century-long story, making it a valuable primary source for anyone interested in American radical politics and 20th-century labor history.
What similar documentaries are recommended alongside this film?
If this film resonates with you, check out Red Army (2015), which examines Soviet ideology through hockey, Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) by Michael Moore, and The Untold History of the United States (2012). All three explore political and economic systems with the same critical, investigative spirit.
Is American Reds: The Failed Revolution still relevant today?
Very much so. The film explicitly addresses the contemporary relevance of the CPUSA and the broader questions it raised about inequality, workers' rights, and racial justice — issues that remain fiercely debated. Watching it today feels less like a history lesson and more like a mirror held up to current American politics.
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