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46 out of 46 people found the following review useful: Too Good For A TV Release, 27 February 2005 Author: Stevin (stevin.marshall@gmail.com) from Polegate, England
I remember following the case of Andre Chicatillo in the newspapers while I was living in South Africa. They had photos of him sitting in his cage while being prosecuted in court. Not, as it turned out, to protect the court members, but to protect him from the public. This was fascinating, albeit morbid, reading. I later heard that a film had been made by HBO about the case, but it was made for American TV. Bummed! Strangely, CITIZEN X got a limited cinematic release in South Africa. I charged down to the local Ster Kinekor complex and duly bought a ticket (I was alone; my girlfriend at the time was only interested in the likes of STEEL MAGNOLIAS and FRIED GREEN TOMATOES). Wow! What a brilliant film. Why wasn't it released to a wider audience? Had it not been made for TV, it could have got an Oscar nomination or 2. There is no way to spoil the ending; who the killer is is never kept from the audience. Jeffrey DeMunn portrays a truly terrifying psycho. He is calm, downtrodden, considered a failure by his wife and subjected to constant ridicule and humiliation by his superiors at work. By committing these horrendous acts, he gets to feel strong, powerful.Fighting to catch him against all odds is a pathologist, played to excellent turn by Stephen Rea, in one of his strongest performances. He must battle the snail-pace of Russian bureaucracy, the primitive resources he has at his disposal and (above all) the refusal by his superiors to acknowledge that the USSR even has a serial killer. The general in charge (Joss Ackland) says that serial killers are "a decadent, Western phenomenon". Only Donald Sutherland is willing to help, but his help must be under the counter. The ever-brilliant Max Von Sydow plays a Russian psychiatrist who breaks protocol and decides to help the investigators in their quest. It is the first time in Russian history that a shrink is used to build a profile of a serial killer still on the loose, and he has everything to lose if his involvement is made public.CITIZEN X is brilliantly acted, well written and the music and editing only add to the tension and theme of the film. Excellent support from a horribly underused Imelda Staunton and a real sense of impending doom make CITIZEN X a film worth seeing. This was too good to be made for TV
43 out of 45 people found the following review useful: Together with Silence of the Lambs, this is the best movie about a serial killer., 9 October 2004 Author: Philip Van der Veken from Tessenderlo, Belgium
Citizen X tells the story of Andrei Chikatilo, The Ripper of Rostov, who killed 52 people in 8 years time, mainly women and children. It shows how the investigation was obstructed by Soviet bureaucracy, how hard it was to investigate the crimes. It does the job in such a brilliant way that it will leave no-one untouched. In the beginning it's perhaps a little bit slow of pace, but it really grabs you as the story unfolds. I can only say that, next to "The Silence of the Lambs", this is by far the best movie about a serial killer I've ever seen. It is very hard to say which actor's performance stands out above the rest in this movie. Stephen Rea is really brilliant as the inexperienced forensic expert who is put in charge of the investigation. Donald Sutherland's performance as his cynical superior, and the only person in the Russian government willing to help him, is as outstanding as Rea's. And what to say about Jeffrey DuMann, playing the serial killer? DuMann brilliantly created a character who inspires empathy rather than hatred. Yes, he is a monster, but he is also a sad figure, oppressed and ridiculed by his wife, his boss, his co-workers... He is tortured, ashamed, as well as extremely vicious.I can only recommend this movie to everybody who's interested in a well-made docu-drama, where the actors are still more important than the special effects. It deserves at least a 9/10, perhaps even more if you ask me.
32 out of 34 people found the following review useful: One of the best movies I've ever seen about a serial killer, 16 September 1999 Author: Ulex from Indianapolis
This has to be one the best movies about serial killers that I've ever seen, and this is coming from someone who absolutely loved Silence of the Lambs. HBO has hit the jackpot here. This film is compelling from the first moment until the last.This film has so many underlying themes its hard to tell exactly what it is about. It chronicles the decade-long search for the Russian serial killer Andrea Chikatilo. Stephen Rea gives a brilliantly reserved performance as the inexperienced forensic expert who is put in charge of the investigation, and Donald Sutherland gives an even more involving performance as his cynical superior, and the only person in the Russian government willing to help him. Both of their performances are subtle masterpieces---Rea begins naive and unwilling to compromise, while Sutherland begins detached and almost amused by the situation. Towards the end, Rea becomes more world-weary and beaten by the system, while Sutherland finds himself more passionate and idealistic.In any other movie, I would have said that Sutherland's performance stands out above the rest, but here even it is rivaled by Jeffrey DuMann, as the serial killer himself. DuMann brilliantly creates a character here who inspires empathy rather than the hatred we think we would find---he is a monster, but he doesn't want to be, and we get the idea that he is just as disgusted with what he does as we are. He is tortured, ashamed, but vicious as well.If you can take the incredibly dark subject matter, (and it is *very* disturbing), then you should see this movie.
28 out of 29 people found the following review useful: Must-see, 28 December 2004 Author: Susan Kerr from United States
This movie tells an amazing story with history and compassion. From the careful descriptions of the crime scenes to the mental health of the lead investigator, you'll be entranced. It's an absolute must-see for anyone interested in criminology. Interpol relations and how the agencies work together are also great. Not overly done either. I recommend it for anyone interested in Russian history, too. How the police work with the political party being what it was... It is truly fascinating and frustrating. The settings are beautiful. It's been a while since I saw this movie the first time. It doesn't diminish it's impact. Not overly dramatic or graphic, it leaves enough to the imagination, well, you'll see.
25 out of 26 people found the following review useful: Superb film, 18 May 2002 Author: artzau from Sacramento, CA
There are some excellent comments and observations on this film. I was pleased to note the comparisons to Fritz Lang's "M" (forget the 50's abortive remake with lightweight David Wayne). The real villain is not the tortured murderer (extraordinarily fine performance by Jeffery DeMunn), taking out his sexually frustrated anger on his victims-- mostly children. He is the objective. The real villain is the stifling bureaucratic Soviet system, drowning in its own corrupted incompetence. The frustration of an uncompromisingly dedicated man (Rea in his best role since "The Crying Game"), a facile pragmatist who's willing to use the system to his advantage (Sutherland always successful in this kind of role), a hesitant, frightened but determined psychiatrist (the incomparable Max Sydow), the bumbling, boopous bureaucrat of a prosecutor (brilliant Brit actor John Wood) and the quiet, supporting wife of the driven investigator (delightful supporter, Imelda Staunton). This is one damn fine film. Its darkness and bleakness are supported by the portrayal of a corrupt, incompetent system which works against success. The is no need to dip into gore-laden slice 'n dice sensationalism that has characterized so many recent films. Gore is present-- it's a ghastly story-- but it adds to the depicting of a pathologically twisted human being. The success of the story is precisely that: these were acts perpetrated by a person, a human like you or I. Where you and I choose to vent our frustration by reasonable means, Chikatilo took his anger out on the most innocent and vulnerable of us, our children. The superb premise of this story is made manifest by an equally superb cast of excellent actors. --sadly, I note that our Australian friend didn't like the speech and no doubt would have preferred to hear them speaking in Aussie dialect. Well, too bad. This fine film sure worked for me and everyone else I've talked with who has seen it.
26 out of 31 people found the following review useful: Somber, Subdued And Well-Done Serial Killer Movie, 9 March 2006 Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States
Here's an oddity: a modern-day film about a serial killer that has no fight scenes, nobody seen dying, no car chases and no loud noises.....and it takes place in Russia. There are only two short action scenes but they are horrific.The rest of the story is detective work, and how much red tape the poor detective had to go through to solve the murders. This is a very somber movie, and "somber" best describes the personality of the hero (Stephen Rea), as well. Yet, the story is not depressing and it's very interesting all the way through.Rea is outstanding as the determined, harried-looked detective. Jeffrey DeMunn is downright scary as the killer. Donald Sutherland's Russian accent is suspect but he plays the only character in this film that has some warmth.Once again, the story is dotted with liberal agendas, here and there, with not one but two references to bias against gays, the total validity of secular psychology, police and government officials being boorish/crude/bigoted, yadda, yadda, yadda. Otherwise, it's an intelligent and refreshingly low-key crime film. This is a somewhat unique film that probably is not well-known but is well-liked by the people who have seen it. Since it's based on a true-life account of this killer, it's all the more chilling. Don't pass this by just because you haven't anything about it.
21 out of 23 people found the following review useful: Interesting with a strong character driving from the front, 28 May 2002 Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK
In Russian the bodies of children begin to get uncovered to reveal what appears to be a Russian serial killer. Due to the nature of the case it is given to a young forensics expert who will be blamed should the case fail. Over 8 years Burakov hunts the killer using methods that are seen as unusual at best and fighting with the internal politics that surround him. This is based on a true story.HBO TV movies are often a mixed bunch – but I had heard good things about this. The story is immediately engaging as young faces are uncovered beneath shallow soil graves to horrible effect. The fact that it at heart, a true story makes it all the more compelling. The story mixes not only the hunt for this man but also the effect on the perserving Burakov. We see his desperation and the pressure he is under to catch the killer, in particular the political forces who do little to help him in his job. The focus on Burakov makes it more interesting as the human side is well done.The facts of the case make the man hunt less interesting – however the political action is interesting. For example members of the communist party were not looked at and homosexuals in particular were targeted – often as a fall back method. It's one of the best repeated shots in the film where Burakov has to several time accompay a group of men to kick in doors and arrest homosexuals – he simply stays outside with a resigned look on his face.Rea is excellent as Burakov and brings the man to life – I'm not sure how true to fact his portrayal is, but you get the impression of a man pushed to his limits by all around him. Sutherland is also very good for different reasons – he has the same passion but it is beneath a smooth political operator. Ackland is good but is really only there to make noise. Von Sydow is good despite his short screen time.Overall this uses human interest to drive the film, rather than gore or violence. This is well made and manages to be interesting and involving despite not being flashy.
18 out of 18 people found the following review useful: A film that surpasses all expectations., 30 January 2006 Author: Essex_Rider from England
This is a truly remarkable piece of cinematic achievement. From the very start I was utterly hooked into the (true) story when Lt. Viktor Burakov (Stephan Rea) weeps while performing the autopsies on the remains of the children's bodies. This then is the compelling story of Andrei Chikatilo, wonderfully played by Jeffrey DeMunn (The Green Mile). In fact, he plays it so well and so sympathetically that the viewer almost starts to pity him, until we remember what he is. The psychiatrist Dr. Alexandr Bukhanovsky, wonderfully played by Max Von Sydow was utterly believable in every detail, and the point he makes when talking about paranoia in the Soviet Union, is made all too apparent by the behaviour of the local Communist Commissar Bondarchuk played by Joss Ackland. For me though, the outstanding performance was from Donald Sutherland, proving once again what a superb character actor he really is. I was almost in tears when he told Burakov how the FBI had so closely followed and admired his work. This film puts Silence of the Lambs into the shade, from the atmospheric and bleak Soviet landscape, to the superlative performances by everyone involved. I rate this film 10/10
18 out of 18 people found the following review useful: Four Stars, 6 October 2001 Author: dtucker86 from Germany
People who liked Silence Of The Lambs need to watch this film because Andrei Chikatilo makes Hannibal Lector look like Donny Osmond. This is a horrifying true story to dwarf any fiction. HBO always makes the best films and it just doesn't get any better then this. Stephen Rea gave an outstanding performance as a dedicated policeman who realizes he will basically have to catch this monster by himself. He is no cardboard cut out but a human hero. There is one scene where he dreams of this brutal child killer and then it shows him weeping and embracing both of his children. You feel so bad for this poor man and so furious at the stupid government that wont even admit there is a serial killer in their midst. I couldn't believe that one scene where Joss Ackland's character says that serial killers are a decedent Western phenomenon. If they had only staked out those train stations like Rea's character wanted they could have caught this monster much sooner and saved many innocent people from the most horrible death you could imagine. Donald Sutherland is a great actor and he gives his best performance here in the way his character evolves and changes. He is very cynical to Burakov at first but then begins to share his anger and finally there is a bond of respect between them. I loved that scene at the end where he finally tells Burakov how much he respects him. Lets no forget Jeff Demunn as well, he was in another tv movie that appeared later in 1995 called Ebbie. He is chilling as this nerdy, weak-looking monster. He doesn't rate or rave but he is terrifying in creating evil. The scene at the end where Max Von Sydow's psychiatrist reads that profile to him is excellent. Just by the expression on his face you sense this mans anguish as he realizes he is the monster in the profile. There is one footnote I wanted to add that the movie did not mention. It makes it out like Chikatilo started killing in 1982. He killed a young girl in 1978 and confessed to it after his arrest. The Soviet police were horrified because they had already arrested, charged, tried, convicted and executed another man for the crime! Another innocent victim of this monster.
23 out of 28 people found the following review useful: A serious docudrama from HBO, 21 October 2002 Author: George Parker from Orange County, CA USA
"Citizen X" tells the story of "The Butcher of Rostov", nickname for a heinous and perverse Russian serial killer who claimed 52 lives from 1978-92. The film focuses on the novice detective (Rea) who doggedly pursued the killer against all odds in the face of an uncooperative bureaucracy in self-serving and convenient denial. An HBO product for t.v., the film offers a solid cast, good performances, spares the audience much of the grisly details, but plays out like a docudrama sans the stylistics of similar Hollywood fare. An even and straight-forward dramatization of a serious and comparatively little known story more interesting than "Jack the Ripper". (B)
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