Citizen Kane

Starring: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, William Alland
Directed by: Orson Welles
Rating: Not Rated
Genre: Drama
Box Office: $1,000,000
1941

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Awards: 1 Academy Award 1942: Best Original Screenplay (Orson Welles, Herman J. Mankiewicz; Nominated 8 other times: Best Picture, Best Actor (Orson Welles), Best Director (Orson Welles), Best Film Editing, B&W Cinematography, Art Direction- Interior Direction, Scoring of a Dramatic Picture, Best Sound

Summary:Follows the strange and mysterious story of Charles Foster Kane, who was taken from his mother and father, and raised by a wealthy aristocrat. Kane eventually takes over the publication of The New York Inquirer.

Review:

Tim: Most people call "Citizen Kane" the greatest American film ever made. It was created in 1941 by 25 year old Orson Welles, his first film in Hollywood. Everything about this film does not suggest it was made by a young man, new to Hollywood... it suggests that you are watching nothing less than a work of art.

Orson Welles has a tremendous story to be told here. Perhaps even more fascinating than the film itself is the story surrounding the film- William Randolph Hurst and his attempts to destroy this film, etc. I'm not going to go into great detail about that, or about the many similarities between Kane and Hurst, but I encourage you to look into it for yourself. There are hundreds of websites across the net with more than enough information on the topic- I recommend looking it up, it is quite interesting. Welles stars in the film, directed it, produced it, and co-wrote the screenplay. He was nominated for Oscars for Best Actor, Best Direction, Best Original Screenplay (which he won),and as Producer, would have taken home the Oscar for Best Picture had he won.

The fascinating thing about this picture is that you can watch it today in the 21st century, over sixty years since its creation, and it is still a superb and interesting film. It is simply a crime that the film won only 1 Academy Award. You can bet the controversy with Hearst hurt the film's chances at the Oscars.

This is a film that there is no excuse for having not seen. Orson Welles' masterpiece is one of, if not the greatest American film ever made. Most people that haven't seen the film will be able to quote it's opening and most haunting line: "R-o-s-e-b-u-d" What is Rosebud? You have to watch the film to find out, but although the film will tell you what Rosebud is... it won't tell you what it means. That is one of the most charming aspects of this film. It leaves so much unsaid. Charles Foster Kane is an enigma. After watching his life unfold on screen, you are left with more questions than answers. Perhaps no film has undergone as much scrutiny and speculation as Citizen Kane. Welles created an film that will live forever, and appeals to so many because of the controversy surrounding it, and the mystery that cloaks Citizen Kane.

If you have not seen this film, I pity you, because you are missing out on a tremendous film. It is a classic, and every American- every man, woman, and child should be exposed to this film. Is it the greatest American film ever made? I can't possibly make that judgement myself, but regardless, enough people in the know say this film is one of the most important ever made. My rating is based on more than just importance in film history, as I take the entertainment factor, and much more into consideration. Despite the rating (which isn't too shabby), this film is arguably the greatest film ever made. No matter what the rating, you need to see this film to decide for yourself. It's fun to watch a film that is a masterpiece. Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, War of the Worlds