History Main / DirtyCommunists

** Completely averted by Captain Zao from ''VideoGame/Fallout4''. Although he is the man who launched the nukes that hit Boston in the first place, he clearly regrets his actions, and willingly seeks assistance from the [[PlayerCharacter Sole Survivor]] (an American citizen and veteran of the Sino-American War) so that he can finally go home after 200 years. Of course, depending on the player's choice, [[HeelFaceDoorSlam the Sole Survivor can reject his attempt at atonement]], scream [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tCRHxlqQ3k "COMMIE BASTARD, YOU DESTROYED MY COUNTRY! DIE!"]], and then beat him to death with a bat.

* In ''The Zone'', a 1980's action series by James Rouch (set in an AlternateHistory WorldWarThree Europe) the Warsaw Pact officers are universally portrayed as brutal sadists, who casually murder civilians and even their own soldiers if it suits their purpose or whim. However ''The Survivialist'' series by Jerry Ahern (written about the same time, and set in a post-WorldWarThree Soviet-occupied United States) makes sure to offset its evil communist villains with decent chaps such as General Varakov and KGB agent Natalia Tiemerovna.

* TheGreatPoliticsMessUp ...after the Cold War.

* The default setting for ''TabletopGame/{{Champions}}'' was originally developed in the 1980s, and so originally featured a pair of Soviet/Warsaw Pact super-teams ("The Supreme Soviets" and the "Cominterm"), who were largely loyal to the Soviet Union; several of them were hardcore Dirty Communists, although others could act more as {{Worthy Opponent}}s or even as ChummyCommies on occasion. By the time the characters were updated for a new edition, in 1991, TheGreatPoliticsMessUp had struck, and the Dirty characters had gone off to form a new RenegadeRussian team ("Red Doom"); others from the old team directly opposed them in an independent but heroic group (the "New Guard").

** The Red Ghost, from ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'' , is another villain with his team of [[EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys super-apes]] (!!)

Although Dirty Commies reached its height with the Cold War, the trope began at the turn of the 20th Century as communism and anarchism began to take root in the capitalist powers. Indeed, even before that, the title "The Communist Manifesto" itself was an ironic attack on Europe's fear of "communism," at the time meaning more the advocacy of living in "communes", though that also had a different meaning to many Europeans.[[note]]Commune was used as the term for a municipality in parts of Europe, which France, Italy and Sweden retain. The far-left of the time taking over the Paris Commune, that is, the government of the municipality of Paris, during the UsefulNotes/FrancoPrussianWar, was a significant influence on Creator/KarlMarx and he mentioned it as the first example of the "dictatorship of the proletariat".[[/note]] Of course, since many communist nations were totalitarian dictatorships that practiced political persecution, censorship and outright genocide, some portrayals of Dirty Communists will emphasize these aspects to make them even more threatening.

Although Dirty Commies reached its height with the Cold War, the trope began at the turn of the 20th Century as communism and anarchism began to take root in the capitalist powers. Indeed, even before that, the title "The Communist Manifesto" itself was an ironic attack on Europe's fear of "communism," at the time meaning more the advocacy of living in "communes", though that also had a different meaning to many Europeans.[[note]]Commune was used as the term for a municipality in parts of Europe, which France, Italy and Sweden retain. The far-left of the time taking over the Paris Commune, that is, the government of the municipality of Paris, during the UsefulNotes/FrancoPrussianWar, was a significant influence on Creator/KarlMarx and he mentioned it as the first example of the "dictatorship of the proletariat".[[/note]]

* Subverted in ''Film/XMenFirstClass''. Although many UsefulNotes/ColdWar cliches are in place, Russians are not portrayed as intrinsically evil or [[TakeOverTheWorld bent on world domination]]. They plan to install their missiles in Cuba not as a part of some EvilPlan to destroy capitalism, but as a counterweight to US missiles in Turkey (not to mention that [[DivideAndConquer both countries are being bullied and manipulated]] by the Hellfire Club). And, most importantly, the final act shows that Soviet sailors are NotSoDifferent from their American counterparts.

This trope is for when the negative aspects of the Soviet Union are caricatured or used for comedic purposes (as pictured), or when Communists are shown carrying out their policies ForTheEvulz rather than out of expediency or misguided idealism. With the end of the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, this has become a mostly DeadHorseTrope, though it oddly has a lot more universal success with Post-Soviet villains than it has ever had with actual Communist ones. Related to RedScare. It remains a significant legacy trope that many authors still use. Is sometimes still used in works set after the ColdWar that involve the communist guerilla/terrorist groups that remain active into the present day, the majority of which are based in rural Asian and South American regions.

[[quoteright:296:[[Magazine/NationalLampoon https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/commie_plot_comics_1.jpg]]]]

-->-- ''Film/{{Annie|1982}}'' ([[TheEighties 1982]] film version)

* ''VideoGame/FreedomFighters'' is pretty much the video game version of ''Film/RedDawn1984'', where the main antagonists are Communists invading America and you play as a leader of [[LaResistance the resistance]] who is trying to push them out of the country. The major difference is, it's all taking place in [[UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity New York]] and not Middle America.

This trope is for when the negative aspects of the Soviet Union are caricatured or used for comedic purposes (as pictured), or when Communists are shown carrying out their policies ForTheEvulz rather than out of expediency or misguided idealism. With the end of the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, this has become a mostly DeadHorseTrope, though it oddly has a lot more universal success with Post-Soviet villains than it has ever had with actual Communist ones. Related to RedScare. It remains a significant legacy trope that many authors still use. Is sometimes still used in works set after the ColdWar that involve the communist guerilla/terrorist groups that remain active into the present day, the majority of which are based in rural Asia and South America.

This trope is for when the negative aspects of the Soviet Union are caricatured or used for comedic purposes (as pictured), or when Communists are shown carrying out their policies ForTheEvulz rather than out of expediency or misguided idealism. With the end of the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, this has become a mostly DeadHorseTrope, though it oddly has a lot more universal success with Post-Soviet villains than it has ever had with actual Communist ones. Related to RedScare. It remains a significant legacy trope that many authors still use, and is still justifiably used in works set after the ColdWar that involve communist guerilla/terrorist groups that remain active into the present day, the majority of which are based in rural Asia and South America.

** The Red Ghost, from ''Comicbook/FantasticFour'' , is another villain with his team of [[EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys super-apes]] (!!)
** ''Comicbook/XMen'' villain Omega Red was made as a Soviet ComicBook/CaptainAmerica before turning into a TerroristWithoutACause.

* Played for laughs in ''FightingAmerican'' -- the villains were still Communists, but they had names like Ghnortz, Bholhtz, and Hotsky Trotsky. Of course, since after a couple of episodes the entire series was a ComicBook/CaptainAmerica spoof, this is unsurprising.

* "This Godless Communism," a feature appearing in ''Comicbook/TreasureChest'', was a comic book published by the Catholic Guild and primarily distributed in Catholic parochial schools. The feature portrayed life in America after a hypothetical Communist takeover, with particular focus on the materialistic and anti-religious nature of Communism.

* The {{Film/Pope John Paul II}} {{biopic}} shows the Soviet Russians, who take over Poland after the defeat of Nazi Germany, as hardly better than those they replace. This is not surprising as Pope John Paul II was a staunch critic of Communism and is often credited with ushering along its collapse in his support of the Polish Solidarity union.

* Two Malaysian films in 2015 and 2017 about the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_insurgency_in_Malaysia_(1968-1989) 21 year long Malay communist insurgency]], ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bravo_5 Bravo 5]]'' and ''[[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7304316/ The Malay Regiment]]'' cover a series of battles in 1989 & 1976, respectively, against the Malaysian Communist Party. Both movies show the communists to be nothing more than [[RapePillageAndBurn rapist thieving murderers]] who terrorize farmers that refuse to support the MCP as [[CategoryTraitor Category Traitors]].

** ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'' parodies this to the Nth degree. Malfunctioning military robots leftover from the war will often attack the player while screaming anti-Communist epithets at them. Members of the Republic of Dave will call you a Communist and attack you if you antagonize them. And in the game's final battle, the LostSuperweapon [[AmericanRobot Liberty Prime]] makes many amusing anti-Communist battle cries ("Communism is a temporary setback on the road to freedom!" "Embrace democracy or you will be eradicated!" "Democracy is non-negotiable."). The Liberty Prime example is especially ironic, as he yells anti-Communist battle cries while fighting against the totalitarian [[TheRemnant remnant]] of the U.S. federal government.

** A classroom in a mock-up of a pre-war school in the ''VideoGame/{{Fallout New Vegas}}'' add-on Old World Blues has large posters on the walls to teach the alphabet, including "C is for Commie" and "D is for Dirty Commie".

** Completely averted by Captain Zao from ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 4}}''. Although he is the man who launched the nukes that hit Boston in the first place, he clearly regrets his actions, and willingly seeks assistance from the [[PlayerCharacter Sole Survivor]] (an American citizen and veteran of the Sino-American War) so that he can finally go home after 200 years. Of course, depending on the player's choice, [[HeelFaceDoorSlam the Sole Survivor can reject his attempt at atonement]], scream [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tCRHxlqQ3k "COMMIE BASTARD, YOU DESTROYED MY COUNTRY! DIE!"]], and then beat him to death with a bat.

* ''VideoGame/VegaStrike'' has Interstellar Socialist Organization, with rather mixed image. In game and flavour materials some call them pirates and terrorists equal to [[EvilLuddite Luddites]], but they [[WouldNotShootACivilian don't attack civilians]] and in one mission even act as a counterbalance to Merchant Guild captain thinking he's a greater priority than a shipload of wounded. ISO definitely is a paramilitary group habitually stealing stuff, but between their choice of signature ships (Goose, which they nicknamed "Sickle", and ugly "Hammer", nee Toad), leaving {{privateer}}s alone and general spirit of being [[CloudCuckoolander a little out of sync]], they end up as a circus cosplaying RobinHood -- potentially dangerous, but hard to take too seriously.

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[[folder: Fan Works ]]

* The 2017 Malaysian film ''[[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7304316/ The Malay Regiment]]'' covers a series of battles in 1976 at the Malay-Thai border against the Malaysian Communist Party during the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_insurgency_in_Malaysia_(1968-1989) 21 year long communist insurgency]]. The communists are shown to be nothing more than [[RapePillageAndBurn rapist thieves]] who terrorize innocent village farmers and don't bat an eye at [[WouldHurtAChild shooting children in the head]].

This trope is for when the negative aspects of the Soviet Union are caricatured or used for comedic purposes (as pictured), or when Communists are shown carrying out their policies ForTheEvulz rather than out of expediency or misguided idealism. With the end of the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, this has become a mostly DeadHorseTrope, though it oddly has a lot more universal success with Post-Soviet villains than it has ever had with actual Communist ones. Related to RedScare. It remains a significant legacy trope that many authors still use. Is sometimes still used in works set after the ColdWar that portray the communist guerilla/terrorist groups that remain active into the present day, the majority of which are based in rural Asia and South America.

* The 2017 Malaysian film ''The Malay Regiment'' covers a series of battles in 1976 at the Malay-Thai border against the Malaysian Communist Party during the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_insurgency_in_Malaysia_(1968-1989) 21 year long communist insurgency]]. The communists are shown to be nothing more than [[RapePillageAndBurn rapist thieves]] who terrorize innocent village farmers and don't bat an eye at [[WouldHurtAChild shooting children in the head]].

* ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' had several examples of this. The most JustForFun/{{egregious}} one is Colonel Volgin who is a DepravedBisexual that possesses lightning powers and a desire to start nuclear war with the West. Of course, the game he appears in is one long love letter to 1960s spy movies, so he's not too out of place. Revolver Ocelot might also qualify despite being ultimately disloyal to the Soviet system. Olga and Sergei Gurlukovich despite being unreconstructed communists, are played fairly honorably and thus do not fall under the DirtyCommunists trope.

Although Dirty Commies reached its height with the Cold War, the trope began at the turn of the 20th Century as communism and anarchism began to take root in the capitalist powers. Indeed, even before that, the title "The Communist Manifesto" itself was an ironic attack on Europe's fear of "communism," at the time meaning more the advocacy of living in "communes", though that also had a different meaning to many Europeans.[[note]]Commune was used as the term for a municipality in parts of Europe, which France, Italy and Sweden retain. The far-left of the time taking over the Paris Commune, that is, the government of the municipality of Paris, was a significant influence on Creator/KarlMarx and he mentioned it as the first example of the "dictatorship of the proletariat".[[/note]]

Although Dirty Commies reached its height with the Cold War, the trope began at the turn of the 20th Century as communism and anarchism began to take root in the capitalist powers. Indeed, even before that, the title "The Communist Manifesto" itself was an ironic attack on Europe's fear of "communism," at the time meaning more the advocacy of living in "communes", though that also had a different meaning to many Europeans.[[note]]Commune was used as the term for a municipality in parts of Europe, which France, Italy and Sweden retain.[[/note]]

** Franchise/IronMan was actually created to fight these guys. Many long lasting characters like the Black Widow and the Crimson Dynamo are a result of his constant battles against the 'Red Menace.' For a while, the book even featured UsefulNotes/NikitaKhrushchev ([[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed "Comrade K"]]) as one of its regular villains. One of the differences between the appeal of Captain America and Iron Man, is that the former was created to fight Nazis and the latter was created to fight Communists, with Iron Man's ArchEnemy, the Mandarin being a Fu Manchu-ish YellowPeril archetype.

This trope is for when the negative aspects of the Soviet Union are caricatured or used for comedic purposes (as pictured), or when Communists are shown carrying out their policies ForTheEvulz rather than out of expediency or misguided idealism. With the end of the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, this has become a mostly DeadHorseTrope, though it oddly has a lot more universal success with Post-Soviet villains than it has ever had with actual Communist ones. Related to RedScare. It remains a significant legacy trope that many authors still use, can sometimes still be usedin works set after the ColdWar that portray the communist guerilla/terrorist groups that remain active into the present day, the majority of which are based in rural Asia and South America.

This trope is for when the negative aspects of the Soviet Union are caricatured or used for comedic purposes (as pictured), or when Communists are shown carrying out their policies ForTheEvulz rather than out of expediency or misguided idealism. With the end of the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, this has become a mostly DeadHorseTrope, though it oddly has a lot more universal success with Post-Soviet villains than it has ever had with actual Communist ones. Related to RedScare. It remains a significant legacy trope that many authors still use, and is still very much justified when there continue to be many communist terrorist groups that remain active well into the present day, the majority of which are mainly based in rural Asia and South America.

* The antagonist organization of ''VisualNovel/SteinsGate'', SERN, is officially just a research institution, but the dystopian OneWorldOrder and BadFuture they create, in which [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill everyone is mentally enslaved]] and all borders are closed, is outright referred to as a communist dictatorship by John Titor/[[spoiler:Suzuha Amane]]. By extenstion, there is their bosses, the Committee of 300, but they are more TheIlluminati.

[[noreallife]]

Tropes commonly associated with Dirty Communists are:

!!Examples