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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Stephen Rea also starred in V for Vendetta where he again played a detective on a manhunt working within an authoritarian bureaucratic regime.

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Goofs

The film spans twelve years, yet Lt. Viktor Burakov's children don't age.

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Quotes

Bukhanovsky: It is embarrassing to see grown men run from their responsibilities. It is like seeing your parents drunk for the first time. They are afraid. To be a psychiatrist in this country is to be an expert on paranoia... whether you meant to be or not.
Burakov: Why aren't you afraid?
Bukhanovsky: I'm sorry, do I look like a man of courage to you? I've always been interested in abnormal psychology, which is a dangerous thing in the Soviet state.

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Alternate Versions

The 1995 UK video release was cut by 37 secs by the BBFC to reduce stabbings during the murder scenes.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Roommates/Muriel's Wedding/Hideaway/The Good Old Boys/Citizen X (1995)

User Reviews

A film that surpasses all expectations.

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

Details

Country:

USA Hungary

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Citizen X

Filming Locations:

Hungary

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Asylum Films, Citadel Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1