“RKO 281” is the true story of the problem-filled production of the 1941 movie classic “Citizen Kane.” Liev Schreiber delivered a subtle and nuanced performance as Orson Welles, the legendary producer, director, co-writer, and star of “Citizen Kane,” an expose of sorts of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Director Benjamin Ross and teleplay writer John Logan gave the film first-class production values, an interesting storyline, and a focused plot that holds viewers interest for the nearly 90 minute duration.
The supporting cast includes John Malkovich as co-writer Herman Mankiewicz, Roy Scheider as the head of RKO Studios, James Cromwell as W. R. Hearst, Melanie Griffith as Marion Davies, David Suchet as Louis B. Mayer, Roger Allam as Walt Disney, Tim Woodward as Jack Warner, Oliver Pierre as San Goldwyn, Ron Berglas as David O. Selznick, Jay Benedict as Daryl Zanuck, Joseph Long as Harry Kohn, Anastasia Hill as Carole Lombard, Bobby Valentino as Clark Gable, Lucy Cohu as Dolores del Rio, Angus Wright as Joseph Cotton, Brenda Blethyn as Louella Parsons, and Fiona Shaw as Hedda Hopper.
“RKO 281,” an interesting behind the scenes look into the goings-on in Hollywood, was first aired on HBO on November 20, 1999, a made-for-television movie from executive producers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott, HBO Pictures, BBC Films, Scott Free Productions, and WGBH Boston. It was nominated for twelve Primetime Emmy Awards, winning three for Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special; Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special; and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Movie.
RKO 281 (1999)
cinema
My Review
“RKO 281” is the true story of the problem-filled production of the 1941 movie classic “Citizen Kane.” Liev Schreiber delivered a subtle and nuanced performance as Orson Welles, the legendary producer, director, co-writer, and star of “Citizen Kane,” an expose of sorts of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Director Benjamin Ross and teleplay writer John Logan gave the film first-class production values, an interesting storyline, and a focused plot that holds viewers interest for the nearly 90 minute duration.
The supporting cast includes John Malkovich as co-writer Herman Mankiewicz, Roy Scheider as the head of RKO Studios, James Cromwell as W. R. Hearst, Melanie Griffith as Marion Davies, David Suchet as Louis B. Mayer, Roger Allam as Walt Disney, Tim Woodward as Jack Warner, Oliver Pierre as San Goldwyn, Ron Berglas as David O. Selznick, Jay Benedict as Daryl Zanuck, Joseph Long as Harry Kohn, Anastasia Hill as Carole Lombard, Bobby Valentino as Clark Gable, Lucy Cohu as Dolores del Rio, Angus Wright as Joseph Cotton, Brenda Blethyn as Louella Parsons, and Fiona Shaw as Hedda Hopper.
“RKO 281,” an interesting behind the scenes look into the goings-on in Hollywood, was first aired on HBO on November 20, 1999, a made-for-television movie from executive producers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott, HBO Pictures, BBC Films, Scott Free Productions, and WGBH Boston. It was nominated for twelve Primetime Emmy Awards, winning three for Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special; Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special; and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Movie.