Rating: 
Summary: Low key but intelligent, well executed and worthwhile
Review: If I say this is a movie about a serial killer you might easily get the wrong idea. Since "Silence of the Lambs" especially, the typical serial killer film has been very much in the horror mode with the drama arising from the graphically depicted ghastliness of the crimes, the fear of the endangered (who typically include the, often improbably nubile, investigator) and the crazed madness of the perpetrator. This is very definitely not that sort of movie and the change is a welcome one. Instead it's just a really rather good police procedural in which Stephen Rea's Lt. Burakov and Donald Sutherland's Col. Fetisov spend years desperately on the trail of the unknown person who just keeps killing - mainly young - people. Burakov and Fetisov are serious cops, desperate to find the guy and put a stop to it but their big problem is that they work in Soviet Russia in a hopeless beaurocratic system and must constantly struggle against managers whose priorities are depressingly different. In fact the main villain of the piece, at least at a dramatic level, is not the killer so much as the stupid and bullying senior apparatchik Bondarchuk played by Joss Ackland in a performance that steals the movie. It is Burakov and Fetisov's conflict with Bondachurk and their evolving friendship with one another that give the film its main dramatic momentum. The actual killer, well played by Jeffrey DeMunn, turns out not to be some energized and charismatically evil Hannibal Lecter type but a rather pathetic impotent loser who, once safely locked up, inspires more pity than terror. Oh, and at no point does he chase either of the heroes round a dark building with a knife. This makes for a lot less high-octane action than other films of this genre but the result is considerably more intelligent and believable.
Rating: 
Summary: Citizen X Gets an "A"
Review: Combining the harsh, frustrating and highly-complex realities of Soviet bureaucratic existence with the passionate desire and efforts of a highly intelligent, methodical, no-nonsense forensics-expert-turned-detective to stop a criminally insane indivdual from killing Mother Russia's children, Citizen X is an intellectual masterpiece in every respect. It is a true story. This film is not for everyone, however. Because this superb film is not a conglomeration of high-speed auto chases, absurd explosions and fireballs, blood, guts and gore, and the inevitable single individual who saves mankind from the clutches of evil, the typical American will in all probability not like this film nor be able to fathom its tremendous significance. Had this film been released through the normal Hollywood avenues, it probably would not have been a box office success for the reasons already mentioned. If, on the other hand, you are a person of reason and intellect who appreciates the struggles of human existence, you will enjoy this great HBO film.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning Film
Review: "Citizen X" is a fascinating, disturbing, riveting film with stunning performances by Stephen Rea -- a brilliant actor -- and Jeffrey DeMunn, a marvelous character actor. I read the book and have to say that the film is better, although it does deviate from the story rather markedly.Rea plays a Soviet forensic investigator who gets put in charge of the hunt for the most prolific serial killer in Russian history. A dedicated man, he is continually frustrated in his effort to find the murderer by Soviet red tape (literally?). Working by instinct because his resources are limited, he doggedly pursues DeMunn's killer. After nearly ten years, Rea triumphs, but at a heavy cost. I can't praise Rea enough for his performance. He may very well be the best actor working today. His investigator takes us into the frustrating world of the little man struggling against great odds, and through his deep brown eyes and everyman's face we feel all of the emotions his investigator feels. By the end of the film, when he finally triumphs, I was crying. DeMunn is utterly fascinating as the killer, a man neglected by the world and out to make it pay. You know this guy: he's the quiet, staring man on the train, the one that gives you chills and makes you stare at your newspaper so you can't see his eyes. Yet DeMunn somehow manages to convey a sense of pity at the way he had been tormented throughout his life. Not many actors could make so repellent a character that compelling. My only complaint is Sutherland's perofrmance. It just didn't work for me. But his character plays so well with Rea that I didn't really care. Get this movie! You'll hate yourself if you don't.
Rating:
Summary: A fight of propaganda stupidity against reality ...? Why ?!
Review: As result of this fight - real people get killed ... not just people ... Russian kids . Just because Soviet sistem was afraid to admit , that in " perfect " Soviet society could be serial killers in exsistance . The most tragic part - it is based on true story !? Over 50 people , mostly kids , get killed ... so we know - Soviet sistem is the best ? The sistem is gone ... but best example of propaganda warfair still exist . In " New " Russia ... and some other countries , where I lived in past few years . NOT a good sign for future generations ...
Rating:
Summary: Truth is scarier than fiction
Review: I saw this film when HBO first aired it, years ago, and I still have the homemade tape we recorded it on. I'm glad to see that it's available commercially, and I'll happily recommend it. It's certainly good enough to be remembered, not simply washed under "Silence of the Lambs." This is a thriller that *means* something, showing us the life-ruining indifference, the villainy of blindness, that defined a really screwed-up, sick culture and period in history. You learn a thing or two about responsibility, justice, and intelligence from this sadly true story. And it's a fine thriller, besides, with the interesting wrinkle of showing how to get jsutice done in an unjust culture. The way the killer is finally nabbed is something that we could never do here in America. Meanwhile, it more than adequately scares the pants off of you, being far more openly violent than "Silence of the Lambs," or its ilk, while at the same time being less exploitative in the way it *handles* the violence. That's quite an accomplishment, however unsettling. This film will scare you. Not jsut because it's that kind of story, but because it really happened, and more importantly, because of WHY it happened. To my mind, those facts make the sicko stylings of ordinary celluloid killers seem rather pale and silly.
Rating:
Summary: Forensics in the Soviet Union.
Review: Based on the true story of the Russian serial killer, Andre Chikatilo, whose killing spree was first noted in 1982, spanning a decade, and claiming 52 victims of which the majority were children. Steven Rea plays the methodical, brilliant, forensic specialist turned detective, in a bureaucratic country that hinders more often than helps his investigation. Donald Sutherland plays his superior and teacher in the ingenious art of subtle manipulation, so necessary when dealing with the upper echelon of the party. Together the two combine with a mix of humor, that comes as unexpected when dealing with such an ominous subject. Faced again and again by a case ravaged by higher ups that seem to be more concerned with their station and privilege, than with bringing the fiend to justice, the tenacious detective Burakov (Rea) holds on to his theories and brings the killer to justice. This was an unexpected pleasure with superior acting on the part of all involved, well worth your time. Kelsana 5/29/02
Rating:
Summary: Excellent thriller...
Review: This is an excellent movie. Was just flipping through the channels and saw the titles of this movie on BBC2, found the background score interesting and a went on to watch it till the end. What a thriller it was. It's a must watch, for anyone interested in crime investigation. This is a master piece and the Russian background makes it more interesting. Though the Russian accent makes it a little bit difficult to understand at times, I must say, all the actors did justice to their roles.
Rating:
Summary: Tearjerker
Review: I saw this a couple years ago and now have the DVD. Both times I have seen it brings me to tears. Great acting. One time where he is told the FBI uses him as an example and another time I forget now. I can really relate to final vindication scenes.
Rating:
Summary: Very good movie, but...
Review: I saw the movie some time ago and thought it was very well done. I have since seen it 3 or 4 times and still consider it to be a superior film. However, I have since read the book upon which the film was based - 'The Killer Department' by Robert Cullen. As is often the case it bears little resemblance to the film. Colonel Fetisov (played by Donald Sutherland) was working on the first murders 6 months before the detective Burakov (Stephen Rea) came on the scene. The psychiatrist, Bukhanovsky (Max Von Sydow), was involved very early on in the investigation. There is great emphasis placed in the film on the role of the bureaucracy but this was not really the case at all. There was nothing in the film about the trial (which took 6 months) with Chikatilo putting on a performance. Despite all that I would still recommend this movie as one of the best of the genre.
Rating:
Summary: Terrifying and true
Review: Jeffrey DeMunn, a very recognizable character actor whom we have all seen countless times and have admired for a long time, gives the performance of his career in this most frightening and gut-wrenching film made for HBO. That it is a true story makes it all the more horrific. And DeMunn, as the bland and innocuous Russian serial killer ( mostly of children) scares you half to death with his understated performance..if this seemingly hen-pecked nobody is capable of such ungodly crimes, who might be living next door to us???
Highly recommended to anyone not only interested in true-crime movies, but for anyone who admires top-notch acting. The entire crew is excellent, but DeMunn's portrayal of Chikatilo will stick with you for a long time.
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