RKO 281
Seen it?1999 | 84 min | Drama, History, TV Movie
Friday Night Flickearly ratingWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won 3 Emmys. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Schindler's List or Mank, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 24 min.
- What might put you off
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In 1939, boy-wonder Orson Welles leaves New York, where he has succeeded in radio and theater, and, hired by RKO Pictures, moves to Hollywood with the purpose of making his first film.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
92% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.5 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 3 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Movie. Won 8 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television, Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture Made for Television, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries, Golden Globe Awards: Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries and 4 more. Also nominated for 9 more Emmys and 11 more Golden Globes. Plus 3 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 35K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Benjamin Ross
- Liev SchreiberOrson Welles
- James CromwellWilliam Randolph Hearst
- Melanie GriffithMarion Davies
- John MalkovichHerman Mankiewicz
- Liam CunninghamGregg Toland
- David SuchetLouis B. Mayer
- Fiona ShawHedda Hopper
- Anastasia HilleCarole Lombard
- Brenda BlethynLouella Parsons
- Roy ScheiderGeorge Schaefer