Red Bells Part I: Mexico in Flames

This drama and western focuses on American journalist John Reed during his travels to Mexico amid the country's revolution. The story follows Reed as he interviews Francisco Villa and witnesses the conflict, including the Battle of Cuautla where Emiliano Zapata's forces fought the federal army. The narrative also explores Reed's personal life through his relationship with Mabel Dodge, as well as his professional experiences reporting on World War I and his involvement in the Patterson strike.

The film was directed by Sergei Bondarchuk, following his previous works War and Peace, Waterloo, and The Steppe. It is a co-production between the Soviet Union, Italy, and Mexico, featuring a cast that includes Franco Nero, Ursula Andress, Jorge Luke, and Jorge Reynoso. The screenplay was written by Sergei Bondarchuk, Valentin Ezhov, and Ricardo Garibay.

Released in March 1982, the film has received a moderate response from viewers. It holds a rating of 5.8/10 on IMDb based on 255 votes, while its score on TMDB is lower at 4.2/10 from 15 votes.