RKO 281: The Battle Over Citizen Kane poster & wallpaper
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Liev Schreiber, James Cromwell, Melanie Griffith, John Malkovich, Brenda Blethyn ... see more see more... , Roy Scheider , David Suchet , Fiona Shaw , Liam Cunningham , Lucy Cohu , Kerry Shale , Tim Woodward , Ron Berglas , Geoffrey Hutchings , Roger Allam , Jay Benedict , Anastasia Hille

When RKO Pictures began work on production number 281, no one could have imagined that they were making perhaps the greatest American film of all time. But the moment Orson Welles (played by Liev Schr... read more read more...eiber) announced that he intended to make a film based on the life of tyranical multi-millionaire publisher William Randolph Hearst (James Cromwell), they knew that they had trouble on their hands. Welles, the enfant terrible of American theater and a household name thanks to his infamous radio adaptation of H.G. Wells's "The War Of The Worlds," was signed to direct films for RKO, and he was given an unusually free hand to make whatever sort of film he wanted. But what Welles didn't count on was the power of Hearst to keep his film from being seen. RKO 281 is based on the true story of the making of Citizen Kane and the war of words between Welles and Hearst. It also stars Melanie Griffith as Hearst's mistress Marion Davies, John Malkovich as screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz, Brenda Blethyn as Hearst's movie columnist Louella Parsons, and Roy Scheider as George Schaefer. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

71% liked it

2,507 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

13 critics

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Benjamin Ross

Release Date: November 20, 1999

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DVD Release Date: April 25, 2000

Stats: 145 reviews

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As Hearst Schreiber as Orson Welles and Malkovich as Herrmann Mankiewicz As Orson Welles James Cromwell as Hearst and Melanie Griffith as Marion Davies Schreiber as Orson Welles and Cromwell as Hearst RKO 281: The Battle Over Citizen Kane
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Flixster Reviews (145)

  • fb704730572
    February 12, 2012
    fb704730572
    Having watched this directly after first experiencing Citizen Kane, I found RKO to be insightful, informative, and rewarding. Liev Schreiber was great as Orson Wells, as was John Malkovich. The film had its limitations, it was only focused on the creation of, and aftermath of, Ci... read moretizen Kane; I wish it had been more expansive in its look at Welles. The depiction of Hearst also felt inadequate, but it was passable considering the short running time. That said, what time the film did spend on both characters was effective. Overall a good film, and definitely a good companion piece to Citizen Kane.

    3.5/5 Stars
  • burgerstar
    August 27, 2011
    burgerstar
    Another great HBO independent film.
  • Doctor0Quinzel
    January 29, 2009
    Doctor0Quinzel
    I am an Orson Welles fan, so I found it really interesting.
  • KLFilmmaker
    August 6, 2008
    KLFilmmaker
    Very good movie about the making of 'Citizen Kane'.
  • kingmob6
    January 11, 2012
    kingmob6
    Gave this one a re-watch in advance of checking out Citizen Kane on Blu-ray, and I really love how well it holds up and gives you the mood surrounding the controversial release of Welles' masterpiece.

    I have to say that James Cromwell's portrayal of William Randolph Hearst is th... read moree highlight for me here, he simply oozes contempt when faced with the young upstart Welles, and I honestly don't know who seems more full of themselves.

    Recommended.
  • mikelclayton
    January 8, 2012
    mikelclayton
    I still prefer the documentary "The Battle Over Citizen Kane", but for a dramatization this is definitely a good film. It has a little bit of the camp feel that television movies until recently possessed but Liev Schreiber as Welles and Cromwell as Randolph Heart are enough fun ... read moreto watch in their respective roles to ignore several of the routine trappings of biopics this film seems to possess. It does seem to be going through the motions of the story with some emoting here or there, but the performance element is overall good when it is present, and it is an informative film in regards to the history of a film lauded by several as one of the best ever made.
  • fb27904963
    December 31, 2011
    fb27904963
    Eh, just not terribly gripping. Not bad but wouldn't recommend anybody go out of their way to see it. Mostly just made me want to watch the actual Citizen Kane.
  • MovieGuruDude72
    August 16, 2011
    MovieGuruDude72
    A decent film showcasing the drama and Hollywood politics the great Orson Welles had to overcome to film his masterpiece, Citizen Kane. Liev Schreiber is an excellent actor but he's a bit too menacing for this role. Other than that I had no issues with this film. A good cast (asi... read morede from Melanie Griffith, God she's terrible) with a good script and good direction from Benjamin Ross. The cinematography is dated well enough to make it look authentic to a point. Worth a viewing if you're a fan of Kane and/or Welles.
  • littlemenace2k3
    May 1, 2007
    littlemenace2k3
    It definitely has the feel of a TV movie and was a lot better than Citizen Kane itself. Liev's portrayal of Orson is spot-on and an interesting watch. B-.

View All RKO 281: The Battle Over Citizen Kane Reviews

Critic Reviews

Emily Blunt
April 8, 2005
Emily Blunt, Blunt Review

This hardly seen film is a great watch for ANY Welles fan.

James Sanford
March 11, 2005
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

entertaining; Schreiber is excellent

Bob Bloom
October 19, 2004
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

Wonderful TV movie about the pressures and ego clashes and politics surrounding the making of Citizen Kane.

James Rocchi
November 7, 2002
James Rocchi, Netflix

High-pulp look at Citizen Kane's genesis is stylish but shallow. Full Review

Staci Layne Wilson
August 9, 2002
Staci Layne Wilson, Fantastica Daily

Excellent. Liev Schreiber IS Orson Welles.

Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
July 26, 2002
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com

Liev Schreiber turns in a fascinating performance.

Sean Axmaker
July 24, 2001
Sean Axmaker, Nitrate Online

...factual details aside, Ross and Logan make the history live. "RKO 281" is no Citizen Kane... but in its own way it pays homage to Welles and his film... Full Review

Laura Fries
March 26, 2009
Laura Fries, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 11, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Mike McGranaghan
August 3, 2003
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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