Citizen X (1995)

During the 1980s, Soviet authorities hunt for a serial killer who picks his victims in railway stations and commuter trains and lures them into the woods.

Director:

Chris Gerolmo

Writers:

Robert Cullen (book), Chris Gerolmo (teleplay)

Stars:

Stephen Rea, Donald Sutherland, Max von Sydow

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 9 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephen Rea	...	Lt. Viktor Burakov
Donald Sutherland	...	Col. Mikhail Fetisov
Max von Sydow	...	Dr. Alexandr Bukhanovsky
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	Andrei Chikatilo
Joss Ackland	...	Bondarchuk
John Wood	...	Gorbunov
Radu Amzulescu	...	Federenko
Imelda Staunton	...	Mrs. Burakov
András Bálint	...	Ignatiev
Géza Balkay	...	Procurator
László Váradi Balogh	...	Peasant
Zsolt Biro	...	Older Gay Man
Ion Caramitru	...	Tatevsky
Balázs Csapo	...	Gayy Partner
Imre Csuja	...	Front Detective

Storyline

Based on the true story of a Russian serial killer who, over many years, claimed over 50 victims, mostly under the age of 17. In what was then a Communist state, the police investigations were hampered by bureaucracy, incompetence and those in power. The story is told from the viewpoint of the detective in charge of the case.

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Plot Keywords:

serial killer | bureaucracy | reference to andrei romanovich chikatilo | communism | shallow grave | 

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Taglines:

You don't want to know what he does... You just want to know when he's caught.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | History | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong, graphic violence and related language

Details

Country:

USA Hungary

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ciudadano X

Filming Locations:

Hungary

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Asylum Films, Citadel Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (DeLuxe) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Japanese enquired about buying the killers brains when he shot by firing squad

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Goofs

When the last murder victim is discovered in the woods at night during a rain storm. The 3 Russian soldiers standing in the foreground are carrying Hungarian AMD-65 rifles. At the time of Chikatilo's last murder in 1990, Soviet troops would have been armed with AK-74 rifles. This film was shot on location in Hungary.

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Quotes

Burakov: [addressing Bukhanovsky, about Fetisov] He'd say something witty but he's overcome with emotion right now.

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Connections

Featured in The 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1995)

User Reviews

Superb film

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.