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RKO 281

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Here, revealed for the very first time, is the shocking truth behind 26-year-old genius Orson Welles' (Liev Schreiber) struggle to make and release Citizen Kane, the thinly-disguised life story about the world's most powerful and corrupt media baron of his era, William Randolph Hearst (James Cromwell).

Hearst was so furious that his private life with his mistress (Melanie Griffith) had been made into a film that he fought with all his power to have Citizen Kane burnt, never to be released.

So begins an epic battle of one man against an empire - a battle that will expose the myths, buried truths and sex scandals behind Hollywood's glittering facade. This lush, compelling and star-studded golden globe winning production reveals that what went on the screen was nothing compared to what went on behind it.

Also starring John Malkovich. Written by John Logan, directed by Benjamin Ross.

Cinematic intelligence sources

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Citizen Orson.

If you've ever done any film study you will have come across Orson Welles and Citizen Kane. They are two of the brightest names to light up the big screen in the USA. What RKO 281, the production number of Citizen Kane at RKO studios, does is to unleash the passions of the two men within the tight confines of early 20th century Hollywood. William was Rupert Murdoch and Kerry Packer combined but with none of the scrutiny that modern media barons receive. Orson Welles was the Quentin Tarantino of theatre, come to Lala land to make his first movie. Of course you're gonna have fun.

As far as history goes, RKO 281 is a bold presentation of some private lives that helped shape a culture. No-one is shown in a flattering light because no-one deserves to be shown in a flattering light. Hollywood in the nascent 21st century is an industrial area where prostitutes work the streets 24 hours a day. Back then the only difference was that the whores were kept inside the dream factories. All the seaminess, ill will, misfortune, underhandedness and sheer bastardy that goes along with big money and movies is opened to the bright light of day, to no-one's benefit. People were just as nasty then as they are now, only now you have tabloid TV to find out about it.

Anyhoo, Liev, who played a nicely self-centred wanker in The day-trippers, does a great Orson: he's arrogant, he's overbearing, he's driven and he loves a good fight. His impersonation of the big man (Mork calling Orson, Mork calling Orson, come in your lardness!) is spooky. At times you don't know whether you're watching real footage or not. Melanie does a wonderful blonde bimbo but James' media maniac ain't too great. Maybe he was going for subtlety, in which case he overshot the mark.

Oh well, if you're watching RKO 281 you're doing it for the historical value, not for an awe inspiring drama (even though it is pretty good). Save it for a week night with a few friends from uni with whom you can actually talk about films beyond the size of the actors' physical attributes.

Security censorship classification

M (Medium level coarse language, sexual references)

Surveillance time

83 minutes (1:23 hours)

Not for public release in Australia before date

9 January 2001

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