Best Tv Movie Ever : Citizen X

[BlackSabbath]

Just finished watching this movie starring Donald Sutherland and Max Von Sydow.

It's the true story of a policeman's attempts to catch Russia's worst mass killer and his struggles against the communist hierarchy that want the killer caught but make it impossible for him to do his job.

The story was dramaticized but it is very well played and portrays the inner contradictions of Soviet Socialism superbly.

[RationalBiker]

I have this movie on DVD and I like it very much as well.

Though you mentioned the big name stars of the movie, Stephen Rea did an excellent job as the lead investigator handling the case. He was clearly an individual with a strong sense of drive and purpose standing out against the Soviet collectivist mentality, despite that his power to do so was very limited. The Soviet regime continually threw obstacles in his way and made them lead their investigation into other areas away from communist party members which stalled the investigation for years This was a testament to his conviction in finding the truth and the real killer no matter how long it took to fight the system.

For some reason, I think the movie toned down Andrei Chikatilo (the serial killer) somewhat. From what I have read on the net and seen in a couple documentaries, he was a far more flamboyant monster. The movie portrayed him to be very meek, weak and quiet. The actor that portrayed him didn't look nearly as scary as he looked in real life either.

VES

[BlackSabbath]

I have this movie on DVD and I like it very much as well.

<Snip.

For some reason, I think the movie toned down Andrei Chikatilo (the serial killer) somewhat.  From what I have read on the net and seen in a couple documentaries, he was a far more flamboyant monster.  The movie portrayed him to be very meek, weak and quiet.  The actor that portrayed him didn't look nearly as scary as he looked in real life either.

VES

I wonder what kind of life the shrink, played by Max Von Sydow, lived in the U.S.S.R.

Stephen Rea was excellent as a man who relied on his mind to solve the case.

Did you notice, like Donald Sutherland did, that Joss Ackland was particularly enthusiastic about arresting gays and put two and two together?

[AMERICONORMAN]

I saw it too. What I liked about it was that it was a movie without the horrid scenes; it was more a movie about people and their motivation. It is the story about a skilled investigator who has to do a good job in a corrupt society with corrupt and mediocre bosses. The race to catch a serial killer in a system geared to protect him (at least it seems).

Americo