The 25 Most Memorable Communist Villains In Movies

Comrades in unforgettableness!

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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You can always count on Hollywood to turn any real-world political adversary of the United States into villains in the film world, and from 1945-1991, Tinseltown focused squarely on America’s Cold War foes, the communists, for big-screen inspiration. Whether taking aim at Cuba, North Korea, Vietnam, or the Soviet Union, for over four decades Americans had it drilled into their minds that anyone who wasn't a flag-waving, democracy-loving Yank was pure evil. 

Oftentimes these commie foes were unfairly portrayed as one-dimensional villains that bore little resemblance to their real-life counterparts, but that didn’t stop the red, white, and blue propaganda machine from churning. Now, with this week's release of a Red Dawn remake, it appears we’re ready for round two against the communists. In the original 1984 action-adventure classic, Russian and Cuban forces invaded and occupied Calumet, CO, forcing local teens to become guerrilla freedom fighters. The new version finds North Koreans parachuting into Spokane, WA. 

As we toast the return of the red menace on the big screen with a Molotov cocktail, Complex takes a look back at The 25 Most Memorable Communist Villains in Movies.

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Written by Jason Serafino (serafinoj1)

25. Ted Winter, Salt (2010)

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24. Boris Badenov, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000)

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23. Viktor Rostavili, Red Heat (1988)

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22. Tom Farrell, No Way Out (1987)

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21. Nikolai Dalchimsky, Telefon (1977)

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20. Sgt. Yushin, Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

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19. Krebs, Walk a Crooked Mile (1948)

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18. Rosa Klebb, From Russia with Love (1963)

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17. Mikhail Rostov, Invasion U.S.A. (1985)

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16. Boris Vaslov, Ice Station Zebra (1968)

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15. Viet Cong Sniper, Full Metal Jacket (1987)

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14. Colonel Podovsky, Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

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13. General Georgi Koskov, The Living Daylights (1987)

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12. Irina Spalko, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

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11. Bill Haydon, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

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10. Ivan Korshunov, Air Force One (1997)

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9. Col. Ernesto Bella, Red Dawn (1984)

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8. Viet Cong Guard, The Deer Hunter (1978)

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7. Lt. Yuri Rozanov, The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966)

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6. The Soviet National Team, Miracle (2004)

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5. Mrs. Eleanor Iselin, The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

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4. Kim Jong-il, Team America: World Police (2004)

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3. Napoleon, Animal Farm (1954)

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2. Alexei de Sadeski, Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

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1. Ivan Drago, Rocky IV (1985)

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