Storyline

Orson Welles (Liev Schreiber), all charisma and stubborn vision, is signed to direct films for RKO Pictures with a startling amount of creative freedom. Welles decides to make production number 281 a disguised biopic of media tycoon William Randolph Hearst (James Cromwell), a film which would come to be known as "Citizen Kane." But Welles doesn't understand just how much clout Hearst yields. When he gets word of the unflattering production, Hearst does everything in his power to stop it.

Plot Keywords

filmmaker, screenwriter, columnist, director, publisher, fiery, thrilling, gutsy, brash, hollywood, calif., film set, castle, filmmaking, power struggle, creative process, artistic controversy, orson welles, wretched excess, rivalry, 1940s

Short Review

I'm not saying that RKO 281 is any sort of Citizen Kane, but it's got the same appealing insouciance, plus a much more satisfying and dirty-minded explanation of the true meaning of Rosebud.

Trailer

Streaming Service

1. Amazon Video : Rent from $1.99, Or $0.00 with a Prime membership