10 Great Movies Made By Actor-Writer-Directors

6) Reds (Warren Beatty)

Over the last couple of decades, Warren Beatty has barely been seen on the big screen. He’s also only made two films in that time (one as actor-writer-director), while his upcoming project – Rules Don’t Apply – feels almost like an ironic joke: a biopic of celebrity playboy-turned-recluse Howard Hughes. In 1981, however, when he directed, produced, co-wrote and starred in Reds, Beatty was still one of the biggest stars in the world.

Justifiably so, given what an achievement the film is. Reds is a David Lean-esque romantic epic, made by a more politically-conscious filmmaker than Lean ever was. The Academy certainly thought Reds was worth the blanket praise it received from critics, gifting it nine Oscar nominations, including one for Beatty as actor and three wins, including one for Beatty as director.