RKO 281
| RKO 281 | |
|---|---|
 Australian poster | |
| Directed by | Benjamin Ross |
| Produced by |
Su Armstrong Ridley Scott Tony Scott |
| Written by | John Logan |
| Based on |
The Battle Over Citizen Kane by Richard Ben Cramer Thomas Lennon |
| Starring |
Liev Schreiber James Cromwell Melanie Griffith John Malkovich Brenda Blethyn Roy Scheider Liam Cunningham Kerry Shale |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | HBO Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $12 million (est.) |
RKO 281 is a 1999 American historical drama film directed by Benjamin Ross. It stars Liev Schreiber, James Cromwell, Melanie Griffith, John Malkovich, Roy Scheider and Liam Cunningham. The film depicts the troubled production behind the 1941 film Citizen Kane. The film's title is a reference to the original production number of Citizen Kane.
Plot
In 1940, Orson Welles (Schreiber), RKO studio head George Schaefer (Scheider), and screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (Malkovich) struggle in making what will be considered as the greatest American film of all time, Citizen Kane.
After learning that Welles' film is actually a thinly veiled and exceptionally unflattering biography of him, publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst (Cromwell) uses his immense power and influence to try to bury the picture. Hearst's mistress, actress Marion Davies (Griffith), endures the embarrassment of having their private lives exposed and mocked, while also offering Hearst consolation and even money when his finances begin to diminish.
In the end, after considerable delays and harassment, plus the disintegration of the professional relationship between Welles and Mankiewicz and a costly blow to Schaefer's career, the film is finally released. Its publicity is muted by Hearst's ban on its mention in all his publications, and its commercial success is limited. Welles, however, ultimately has the satisfaction of having created one of the most critically admired films of all time.
Filming locations
Producer Ridley Scott wanted to film in the Hearst Castle, but was denied.[1] The movie was filmed in the United Kingdom, mostly around London. The Gothic stairwell in Hearst Castle was filmed in the St Pancras Chambers, attached to St. Pancras Station. Hearst's private quarters and office, including a marble fireplace, were filmed in the high-ceilinged Gamble Room in the Victoria & Albert Museum.[1] The fireplace seen in the room was saved from Dorchester House prior to that building's demolition in 1929. The Hearst castle dining hall and ballroom was filmed in the Great Hall of the London Guildhall.[2]
Reception
On aggregate review site Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a "fresh" rating of 92%, based on 13 reviews.[3]
Awards
The film won Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television at the 2000 Golden Globes, and also received a Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special. Score composer John Altman also won a Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special.
Cast
- Liev Schreiber as Orson Welles
- John Malkovich as Herman J. Mankiewicz
- Roy Scheider as George Schaefer
- James Cromwell as William Randolph Hearst
- Melanie Griffith as Marion Davies
- Liam Cunningham as Gregg Toland
- David Suchet as Louis B. Mayer
- Brenda Blethyn as Louella Parsons
- Fiona Shaw as Hedda Hopper
Sources
- 1 2 Gritten, David (1999-09-05). "The Los Angeles Times Television Section September 05, 1999". Retrieved 2010-10-23.
- ↑ "The City of London - Guildhall". Retrieved August 24, 2012.
- ↑ "RKO 281 Review". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
External links
- RKO 281 at the Internet Movie Database