Not unlike "Citizen Kane", "RKO 281" received only nominal public appreciation in its day. However, "Citizen Kane", at this writing and some 60 years after its premier, is in no less than fourth place on IMDB.com's Top 250 list of movies of all time. Although it's not likely that history will regard "RKO 281" as kindly as the film it tells about, it does answer the question so many young people may have: What's all the fuss about this old movie which isn't even in color?
"RKO 281" is about the making of "Citizen Kane", a film which biographs a character thought to be William Randolph Hearst of publishing fame. As the story goes, WR Hearst saw himself on screen, realized how much he did not like himself, and then waged war on the Hollywood studios. A war which was essentially a war of ego between two men. A good quality made-for-tv flick with an excellent cast, "RKO 281" puts Orson Welles and his pet project in perspective while delivering one subtle message: As with all things, it is not people which make greatness as much as it is circumstance.
"RKO 281" is about the making of "Citizen Kane", a film which biographs a character thought to be William Randolph Hearst of publishing fame. As the story goes, WR Hearst saw himself on screen, realized how much he did not like himself, and then waged war on the Hollywood studios. A war which was essentially a war of ego between two men. A good quality made-for-tv flick with an excellent cast, "RKO 281" puts Orson Welles and his pet project in perspective while delivering one subtle message: As with all things, it is not people which make greatness as much as it is circumstance.