Rating: 
Summary: A work of genius
Review: Orsen Welles is a genius. You've probably heard that a million times, but what is it about this movie that can elevate a director to such status? For starters, Welles was an innovator in such mundane fields as equipment and lighting. He innovated numerous ways of lighting his set which allowed him to achieve shots with large depths of field or backlighting. He also invented equipment which allowed him to achieve tracking shots that were unheard of before his time. You follow the camera over a rooftop and then down through a skylight into a room where a conversation is taking place. It seems pretty standard today, but you don't see that sort of thing in films before Welles came along. There is so much more, though. What is the big deal about shot with large depth of field? Examine the scene in which Kane's parents and the executor of his uncle's will are arguing over his future. The shot contains four characters. The banker, who wants to take Kane away. Kane's mother, who wants him to stay. Kane's father, who is undecided. And Kane himself as a child who can be seen through the window playing with Rosebud. The banker is positioned close to the camera, the mother is positioned by the window, and the father wanders back and forth in the shot. The very positions of these characters illuminates where they stand on the issue being discussed. The father is the most obvious example of this, as he wavers back and forth in his decision he wanders back and forth in the room, moving closer to the banker or closer to his wife by the window and his son playing innocently outside. This is one example of how Welles utilized the large depth of field shot which he created especially for such scenes as this. There are no cuts, no panning, just the room, mapped out on each end with a decision, and he plays the characters against this map. Then there is the ending. Rosebud is the sled? What does that mean? It means that the search that the faceless men have been on is a wild goose chase. How can one item in a man's life define who that man is? It can't, as is reflected by the jigsaw puzzles that Kane's wife does, or the long tracking shot at the end which covers all the items in Kane's life. It doesn't matter if Kane's last thought was of his boyhood and the sled he used to play with. That does not discount every decision he has made throughout his life, it does not change any of the plans which he set into effect, or alter any of the lives he has ruined as he traveled through life becoming less and less like the young, adventurous noble man he started out as when he first comes into the newspaper office. He may long for his distant childhood, but every step he took away from that life was a step he took by himself, and simply longing for the past does not absolve anyone of responsibility for the decisions they have made throughout their life.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Film Ever Is Going To Be A Great DVD
Review: Yes I believe that "Citizen Kane" is the greatest film ever made, you know the reasons, you can read student's, professor's and critic's theses on why this is true, so I'm not going to type a long explanation.Whether you agree with this or not, WB is treating the DVD release as if "Citizen Kane" is the #1 film of all time. Here are the specs: Video: 1.37;1 aspect ratio (fully restored from newly discovered pristine prints) Audio: English mono track Special Features: DISC ONE -two full-length audio commentaries 1) director and Welles biographer Peter Bogdanovich 2) film critic Roger Ebert -the original 1941 movie premiere newsreel -a storyboard gallery -the original theatrical trailer. DISC TWO -The American Experience documentary "The Battle Over Citizen Kane" (120 minutes; a $19.99 value!) -rare interviews with Orson Welles -rare footage from William Randolph Hearst's San Simeon Estate -Welles' historic "The War Of The Worlds" broadcast.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent !
Review: The movie unfolds like a dream and its stunning images never leave you. It remains fresh every time I see it. It is the perfect marriage of style and substance, and a perfect work of art. I can't wait for the DVD version.
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Finest Films Ever Made!
Review: Citizen Kane has to be the most reviewed and discussd film of all time. Rather you are for it or against it one thing is certain the film can not be ignored. The plot is told in the opening credits through a newsreel flash forward after Kane's death, thus the information about the fims central character Charles Foster kane is established, the film then starts from Kane's early years of a child deprived of love to a wealthy newspaper tycoon adult void of a concious or a true "love" to call his own. But what makes kane an amazing film to watch is that it seems to be such an uninviting film to watch. Welles genius gives you this impossible figure for the viewer to empathize but as the film plays out you feel more than just disdain for the character but for the whole atmosphere of the film. Citizen Kane plays like a grown adults nightmare! Reality is twisted when the things in our adult life that we would love to own such as furs, diamonds and expensive homes are placed in Kane's lap and he not only loaths these material wishes but he buys nore and more of them as if one day they will magically fullfil the void he knows they can't fill. That is the magic and truth behind this flick Kane ultimately dies when all his materlistic needs are met and he suffocates in his need. Love, respect and happiness does pop into kanes life but when all is said and done the mere fact that Kane through out the entire film seems to relish the thoughts of wanteing to want makes Citizen Kane the most enjoyable film to dive into time and time again. And as for transition to DVD, the quality of the entire package is so well done and the picture so sharp you can actually count the whiskers on kane's face as he whispers his infamous dying words "Rosebud"! The film also includes the Oscar Nomintated "The Battle Over Citizen Kane" it details to great acord the war between Welles and Hearst (Kane is supposedly based on Hearst). Welles paints Citizen Kane in stark lighting, haunghting music and beautifuly dizzing camera angles and the pristine transfer to DVD is simply amazing.
Rating:
Summary: A Film Masterpiece That Has Become My Own Inspiration!
Review: Yes, it's true. CITIZEN KANE, like so many people have said countless times before, is my own inspiration to filmmaking; acting, directing, writing and producing my own future Oscar-winning epic masterpieces - PRISONER OF WAR, PRISONER OF WAR: PART II, PHILIP, KING OF SPAIN, and TRIANGLE. Although, I should say that CITIZEN KANE is one of many films that have inspired me, others include David Lean's trifecta of THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, and DOCTOR ZHIVAGO; GONE WITH THE WIND, SCHINDLER'S LIST, THE ENGLISH PATIENT, THE LAST EMPEROR, and SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE. And, to a very lesser extent, I'll even say TITANIC and, maybe (though I hope not), the upcoming PEARL HARBOR. Though PRISONER OF WAR will be much more heartbreaking and moving without being melodramatic than either TITANIC and PEARL HARBOR! (Yes, there are a lot of impressionable films!) And soon, so will my films be legendary, critically-acclaimed, Oscar-winning, box-office smash-hit, epic classics. Wow, that's a mouth full! Back to CITIZEN KANE, a very inspirational film due to its groundbreaking techniques in camera angles (cinematography), dialogue, subject matter, shadows and lighting, and acting. In 1941, Orson Welles, 26-years-old at the time, was given permission by RKO Radio to produce a film of his choosing. He decided to write a scandalous story loosely based on the life of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst and his mistress, actress Marion Davies. Controversial at the time because of the backlash that the film and Welles received when word got to Hearst of this picture depicting his life. Hearst tried many ways to get this film from ever being shown: He tried to buy the negatives from RKO in order to burn them; he tried to slam the film in all his newspaper, and even had Louella Parsons, a powerful critic at the time, slam the film in her columns. For more on this story, check out the 1999 film "RKO 281." Welles, along with Herman Mankiewicz (brother of Oscar-winning director Joseph L. Mankiewicz), both collaborated in writing the script. Welles, who starred as the "hero" Charles Foster Kane, also acted as the director and producer, bringing in his Mercury Theater stage troupe from New York to fill in the parts for his film. They were: Joseph Cotten, as Kane's friend Jedediah Leland, the newspaper's drama critic; Everett Sloane as Kane's nerdy assistant, Mr. Bernstein; Agnes Moorehead, as Kane's mother Mrs. Mary Kane; Dorothy Comingore as Kane's second wife, Susan Alexander Kane; Ruth Warrick as Kane's first wife, Emily Norton Kane; Ray Collins as Kane's rival in politics, "Boss" Jim W. Gettys; Erskine Sanford as the befuddled Herbert Carter; Paul Stewart as Raymond the butler; and George Coulouris as Walter Parks Thatcher, the man who takes little Charlie from his mother and father, played by Harry Shannon. It begins with the death of Charles Foster Kane with his final words "Rosebud." This meaning is the basis for the film, as a mystery, film-noir, and as a character study with little bits of comedy in it (supplied by Erskine Sanford's character). The film is basically told in flashback, going from his childhood in 1878 to his death in 1941. Revered as America's own Kublai Khan, living in seclusion in his castle Xanadu, which was taken from Hearst's own real-life private castle - San Simeon. We learn of Kane's rise to power, as a simple newspaper owner to a political-hopeful man, to his downfall when he is disovered to have an affair with a struggling singer, who eventually becomes his second wife. More sad news, his first wife, Emily, and son Charles III, were killed in an auto accident. Told by his friends, Jed Leland and Mr. Bernstein, and by his second wife, the shadowed figure of a man named Jerry Thompson (William Alland) uncovers each secret that reveals some truth to the myth of Charles Foster Kane. In the end, we find out what "Rosebud" meant. His sled, which was prominent in the beginning, was a reminder of his lost childhood. He never wanted the money, only love! But, according to Leland, he wanted "love on his own terms," which sadly costed him in the end. Truly thought-provoking and moving! At the Academy Awards, Orson Welles received 4 personal nominations from CITIZEN KANE's 9 noms in 1941 for Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay (with Herman Mmankiewicz), and Best Picture. The only award the film received was the Best Screenplay Oscar! From the haunting score by Bernard Herrmann to the shadowy photography by Gregg Toland to the fast-paced editing by future Oscar-winning director Robert Wise (WEST SIDE STORY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC), CITIZEN KANE proved to be a film way ahead of its time; as well as a film that could stand among the very best! Orson Welles's debut proved to be his most powerful and influential.
Rating: 
Summary: the best film ever? give me a break.
Review: I rented the film based on the strength of the reviews. In my opinion, it is a good film but no masterpiece. One thing about the picture which I found very annoying was the loud blairing circus music when cutting to different scenes. I wouldn't have rented this movie if I were an MTV junkie. I appreciate good movies (old and new) but Citizen Kane is not worth buying; rent it instead. One of the qualities of a good movie is that it stays in your mind long after you've seen it. Citizen Kane doesn't have this lasting effect. The main character never seems to do any introspection and it was not made clear how he died. The main character does come to a point in his life where he becomes disillusioned and that (I think) is when he says "Rosebud" then drops the glass ball on the floor. I have my own theory on what Rosebud meant but I'd rather not spoil the picture. I'll give you a hint, it's similar to Lester Burham's red pontiac firebird in "American Beauty". Anyway, I think it should have been made clear what he meant by rosebud.
Rating:
Summary: An Absolute Masterpiece!
Review: In this extraordinary drama, we learn of one man's life through the eyes of his peers and colleagues. We delve into the life of Charles Foster Kane, as we search for the answer to one question: What is "Rosebud," Kane's last word? I did not want to see this film. I simply watched it because I love movies and this was apparently "essential." It turned out that everyone who says this movie is unbelievable is right. The story of Charles Foster Kane (who is believed by some to have been based upon William Randolph Hearst) is amazing. From his life at Xanidu to his childhood to the NY Inquirer back to Xanidu, the movie is simply perfect. By way of magnificent and unorthidox cinematography, superb direction, stunning acting, and a haunting plot, Orson Welles tells this seemingly simple tale in a memorable, ununprecedented fashion. An absolute must- see for anyone.
Rating:
Summary: You don't love me, you want me to love you.
Review: I don't know if I can add any original insights to "Citizen Kane", probably becuase it is the most critically acclaimed motion picture of all time. Certainly far ahead of its time in almost every aspect. Ahead not only in the way it was filmed, but in the acting and complexity of the storyline. Although Wells is a little self-indulgent, putting himself in almost every scene, his character is the main focus of the story. No doubt, Wells is undeniably brilliant both on and off the camera. "Citizen Kane" can be seen in so many ways; its historical importance, its influence on modern cinema, and finally, its just a great story.
Rating:
Summary: Technical Hodgepodge
Review: Orson Welles used every techical trick in the book when he filmed Citizen Kane. The effects are interesting and deserve three stars simply because of the juxtaposition of "all types of all aspects" of film making into one film. It's all a bit much. ALSO, based on the reviews, I thought this would be a great film. It fails miserably. Charles Foster Kane's belligerent, aggressive, superior and obnoxious attitude lacks sympathy and, as a protagonist, he elicts little pity. Watch the film if you want to answer trivia questions or, better yet, I'll save you the trouble. Rosebud was Charles' sled. The film far too dark and dated. The redeeming qualities are the various lightening and technical aspects.
Rating:
Summary: Orson Wells's Masterpiece
Review: Orson Wells was already known for his written plays on radio, includeing the famous 1938 radio adaptation of War of the Worlds, but his first movie, as both actor,writer, and director is a simple American masterpiece, as Wells plays a powerful rich man who gets everything he ever wanted but was robbed of his childhood in the process. It's a movie that really pushed the envelopes of drama at the time it was made. It's an epic story that is very sad and moving. Citizen Kane has influenced almost every generation of film makers who have seen it. From Alfred Hitchcock to Steven Spielberg. It was also the first motion picture to have music composed and conducted by Bernard Herrmann.
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