4/5 The Rest Of The Story
  by Lionel Bourg (Natchitoches, LA---USA)
RKO 281---(2000)Liv Schreiber, John Malkovich, James Cromwell, Melanie Griffith, Roy Scheider.
I enjoyed this movie about the "back-story" of the making of CITIZEN KANE very much. I found it very informative and, to the extent that I knew, quite factual. Malkovich was, as always, very good; Schreiber and Cromwell were also quite credible as Welles and Hearst, respectively. Once again, a big, THANK YOU!, to AVA for bringing this film to my attention. IMO, one of the best scenes in the movie is when Welles and Hearst are alone together in an elevator after the release of CITIZEN KANE. Hearst says to Welles, "My battles with the world are nearly over; yours are just beginning!" I'm sure that was an invention of the screenwriter since it's doubtful that Welles and Hearst were ever in the same elevator---and, if they were, nobody would know what they said to each other. But, it was a nice bit of "foreshadowing" in regards to Welles, who spent the rest of his life trying to live up to his billing as, "The Boy Genius".


4/5 An Excellent Film Version Of The Battle Over Citizen Kane
  by Matthew Kresal (USA)
The battle between William Randolph Hearst and Orson Welles over the latter's classic film Citizen Kane is the stuff that film history legends are made of. And after the amazing PBS documentary on it, it doesn't seem surprising that a film version would follow it. Though this film isn't a documentary and plays many things differently then they really happened, RKO 281 is an excellent film.

The cast is first rate from Liev Schreiber's Orson Welles onwards. Schreiber might not do Welles distinct voice, but he captures the arrogance and genies of the young man. James Cromwell brings both menace and sympathy to William Randolph Hearst and for the two scenes in the film when these two are together you can feel the tension.

The rest of the cast is just as superb. Of special mention is Melanie Griffith's performance as Marion Davies, the unfortunate victim of Citizen Kane and who becomes the reason for the battle over the film. John Malkovich, Brenda Blethyn, and the late Roy Scheider bring flesh and blood to these long dead members of the battle (writer Herman J. Mankiewicz, columnist Louella Parsons, and RKO executive George Schaefer).

The production is a lavish one. The filmmakers take you to San Simon (aka Hearst Castle), the RKO sets for the film, the boardrooms of Hollwood and New York, and the homes of those involved. The effect is giving the viewer a sense of being there as film history happens. It's not of course but one gets that feeling.

And now for the writing. The film is not, and does not claim to be, a documentary though it is based on the excellent PBS documentary The Battle Over Citizen Kane and the makers of that documentary are credited as advisors in the end credits. As a result, the events seen in the film are a mix of fact and fiction. The opening dinner party scene is questionable and the apparent motive for Welles to do the film is likely fictional. But many of the details and even chunks of dialog are real or based on real events. Indeed the final third of the film (apparently) happened almost exactly as it is seen in the film. While some might want to argue over this, it works in the context of the film.

In short RKO 281 is fiction based on fact. From the strong performances to the lavish production values, the fiction gives the viewer a new light on the legendary battle over a classic film and how it almost never made it to the public. If you're a fan of Welles or Citizen Kane, this is a must see. If not, prepare for a journey into the battle over Citizen Kane and how it almost brought down the Hollywood film industry.

5/5 HBO's RKO 281: The Battle Over CITIZEN KANE - a MUST for Any Film Buff!
  by Michael King (New Hampshire Highlands)
This sumptuously produced made-for-TV movie concerning the epic battle between 26-year-old boy wonder Orson Welles and newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst over CITIZEN KANE is totally enthralling from the opening scene to final fadeout. Hearst was highly annoyed with Welles' first movie (working title: RKO 281) because its newspaper publisher character bore a too-close-for-comfort resemblance to himself. As a result the aging publishing magnate would go to any extreme to shut the movie down. "The stuff of legend, with tales of sexual blackmail, money changing hands and threats behind closed doors." The Direction is crisp and the acting superb, with the likes of Roy Scheider, John Malkovich, James Cromwell (as Hearst), Melanie Griffith (Marion Davies) and Liev Schreiber (Welles) in the cast. Light up the arc lamps and let the fireworks begin!

5/5 RKO 281
  by B. Thom (US of A)
I found this DVD entertaining, giving the behind-the-scenes look at the making of Kane. I'm a big fan of Welles and Liev Schreiber's performance of Orson was top-notch. Those of you that like story of the Battle over Citizen Kane with Orson Welles and William Randolf Hearst, this is for you. It gives a sense of how motion pictures were made in that era. I found the film to be very inspirational.

4/5 The Battle over Citizen Kane
  by Joshua Miller (Coeur d'Alene,ID)
"RKO 281" is a made-for-HBO movie on the process of making Citizen Kane, called by The American Film Institute, the greatest film ever made.
The movie is not a biopic on it's creator Orson Welles, in the same way
Walk the Line wasn't a biopic on Johnny Cash. It's a film that details a pivotal event in that persons life. We get some glimpes of Welles childhood, but this movie is about making Citizen Kane. The title of the film, which I don't like at all, refers to what Citizen Kane was called while it was being made. Liev Schreiber plays the "boy genius" Welles, who is tapped by RKO studios to make a movie after his legendary War of the Worlds radio broadcast makes people think the world is being taken over by aliens. Welles and his friend/writing partner Herman Mankiewicz (John Malkovich, who is great), whom he calls Mank, need to write a film but don't have any ideas. Then they meet William Randolph Hearst (James Cromwell), a rich newspaper publisher who lives in a large castle-like mansion filled with gorgeous woman, expensive paintings and statues, and an aura of sadness. After Welles entertains some people at a dinner party Hearst is holding, with a story about bull charging, Hearst gives him a tongue lashing about cruelty to animals. This makes Welles mad, but also gives him an idea...To write a movie about Hearst and change the name of the character to Charles Foster Craig (although later, he decides the name isn't good enough and changes it to Charles Foster Kane). As Welles and Mank work on the script, we're treated to some small funny moments including when Welles comes up with rosebud. Anyway; After the film is completed and people begin seeing it, Hearst begins to fight to get the film destroyed but begins sinking into the depths of bankruptcy. Melanie Griffith plays Hearst's mistress, who bares resemblance to Kane's second wife in the film. Before seeing this film I knew the average things about Citizen Kane that you can read in Roger Eberts book and such. I don't know how much of this film is true, but it was told in such a fun way that it was hard not to like. Orson Welles is portrayed as an occasionally mean, but dedicated man who just wanted to make a movie. I think John Malkovich steals the show as Welles co-writer. He plays his character with such finesse and charm, it's hard not to like him. If I ever hear someone say Herman Mankiewicz, I'll definitely think John Malkovich. The movie is written by John Logan (who penned the Howard Hughes biopic "The Aviator") and is surprisingly well done. I'd rather see a full biopic on Orson Welles, but this is a good substitute. Schreiber wouldn't have been my first choice to play Welles, but he does pretty well. Anyone looking for insight into Welles personal life shouldn't look much further. If you enjoyed Citizen Kane or enjoy watching John Malkovich onscreen than you should check this movie out. It's not perfect (sometimes it's even dull), but it's interesting and well-acted enough to be recommended.

GRADE: B