OK, so we all know that "Citizen Kane" was probably the all-time #1 masterpiece. Not as many people know that William Randolph Hearst tried to have the movie destroyed. "RKO 281" does a really good job telling that story. I will admit that Liev Schreiber seems to be overacting a little bit as Orson Welles, but he still does a good job in the role. Hearst (James Cromwell) is actually the most intriguing character in the movie: we see how this hypocrite did business with Hitler, sought to discredit FDR (believing the 33rd president to be a Bolshevik),and had a half-his-age mistress in Marion Davies (Melanie Griffith). In my opinion, Hearst had no good qualities.

All in all, the movie's quite interesting, and I don't just mean as a part of cinematic history. What it portrays is part of Americana. Also starring John Malkovich, Brenda Blethyn and Roy Scheider.

Orson Welles (Liev Schreiber) produces his greatest film, "Citizen Kane" (1941),despite the opposition of the film's de facto subject, William Randolph Hearst (James Cromwell).

This HBO film has great casting, to say the least. Sure, Schreiber may not necessarily look like Orson Welles, but he does the voice pretty well, and is a great actor. James Cromwell never disappoints, and then you have a wonderful ensemble, as well (not least of which is John Malkovich).

Of the parts showing the filming of "Citizen Kane", the scene of tearing out the floor is best. This event (even if it did not happen as portrayed) is what made this film iconic for many, and really made Gregg Toland a god among cameramen. Having Toland appear here was a wise decision.

What is somewhat confuses is the film's portrayal of racism and antisemitism. Not that these were not bigoted times, but what was the overall point? How did it relate to Welles? This is unclear.

Another reviewer already stated it very nicely. To enjoy this, you have to detach from thinking this is close to the truth. This is a dramatization and it is meant to tickle you, to tell a story. Sort of something Orson Welles liked to do. It is still based on certain things that happened while he tried making this major movie - for some even the best movie ever made. Whatever you think of Citizen Kane, you can't deny it's technical progress and thinking - how Welles used so many things to make a drama that touches on so many things.

Liev Schreiber is doing a fine job overall, though some might feel he could have been ... I guess crazier in his depiction. But we are supposed to root for our main character, so there goes that. Overall the acting is more than decent - especially for TV movies of that era. So if you are looking for light entertainment and are not up for the "real" documentary (which is Battle for Citizen Kane, which was an episode of a show),this will be more than fine enough a watch. If you are already aware of certain things it might help enjoy the movie - but as I initially said, you may also be annoyed by what the movie chooeses to show. Drama will be drama .. you need a bit of suspense sometimes