Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

recommended

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Such terrible detective work resulted in so many dead who should not have died if the search for the serial killer was even competent, let alone good. The killer could have been caught so much earlier than the 11 years it finally took due to awful detective work that did not even consider two key tactics not used early on....those of surveillance and decoys. Once the killer's MO was discovered and his identity was suspected early on, he should have been placed under close surveillance 24/7, with special attention given to RR stations after those locations were determined to be the ones most likely to expose the suspect in the act of enticing his next victim. Also, using a decoy would have supplemented the first tactic and may have been even more immediately successful. Absolutely the worst police work I have ever seen in a modern film story, and totally embarrassing to anyone who has ever been on the the job, but may have been somewhat realistic considering that it happened in Russia in the 80s.That said, the movie was a pretty slow slog with little progress through the years, albeit massively hindered by many total political incompetents with their communist militaristic mindset and rigidity. Only by the persistence of the impassioned doctor(Rea)leading the case and the understanding and supportive colonel(Sutherland)in charge of it all was this case finally solved after too many years, all the while using archaic medical tech and police work that allowed so many killings to occur that never should have happened. Without those two dedicated men to find the killer eventually, it surely would never have been solved. A slowly involving story, but maddening for all the incompetence and posturing instead of good police work.

A forensic specialist Burakov goes on a hunt for the serial killer responsible for the mutilation and murder of over 50 people, 35 of them children.Although Chris Gerolmo's Citizen X is a made-for-TV film, it doesn't feel like it. Based on a true story, it has plenty of atmosphere and chilling moments. Especially when children vanish from train platforms. As well as being a cat and mouse serial killer film, it interestingly depicts the killer played by Jeffrey DeMunn, who is eerily believable as unassuming Andrei Chikatilo in his home and work environment. In contrast it also illustrates the pressure of the investigator, Viktor Burakov, wonderfully played by Stephen Rea in both his home and work life setting. Burakov finds himself not only in the middle of murders but also tied up in Soviet propaganda and bureaucracy where he forms an unlikely association with Mikhail Fetisov, played memorably by Donald Sutherland. The acting is first rate and also includes Max von Sydow.Opening in 1982, shot in Hungary its captures that European Soviet feel perfectly and the changing political landscape over of the many years of the red tape hampered investigation. As well as the serial killer, under resourced agents, politics there's also another layer around forensics and corruption.Overall, it's a chilling must see riveting watch.

it tells the hardship cops endure during work . respect to the cop Viktor Burakov, sometimes we forget what cops suffer personally and professionally to bring justice ..must watchthe emotions and impact the case has on the cop is shown clearly how patience and tireless cops worked to beat a failing system is a tragic tale of justice even in today's world we need more cops like Viktor Burakov,HBO is miles ahead of most TV Channels- deserves a credit to always strive for pioneering work on real stories but please not for the viewers with faint heart .shocking

TV movie above average, where the performances are acceptably good (taking for granted that the casting is not Russian nor Slavic) and the relations between them are fine too. Slow but safe rhythm, good ambiance of the soviet times in, in this case, Rostov na Donu. It shows some problems of that time and situation, the secrets and the need for being close and be capable of show great competence and look to big men of the Party.I would have like they had dug deeper in the figure of Andrei Chikatilo, Rostov's Butcher, which is lightly represented in the film, how I said the film is more focus on relations between, Rea and Sutherland.Random fact, thrash band Slayer (poor Hannemann) wrote a song based on this disgusting man called "Psychopathy Red".