Where do you even begin reviewing such a classic film as Citizen Kane? It's frequently hailed as the greatest film ever made, and normally appears in the top 5 of any film list you come across. In 1941 a 25-year old Orson Welles burst into Hollywood and was given free reign to direct, produce, ... Read review
Arguably the greatest of American films, Orson Welles' 1941 masterpiece, made when he was ... more
only 26, still unfurls like a dream and carries the viewer along the mysterious currents of time and memory to reach a mature (if ambiguous)conclusion: people are...
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ONE OF THE BEST LOVED FILMS OF ALL TIMEIn May of 1941, RKO Radio Pictures released a ... more
controversial film by a 25-year-old, first-time director. That premiere of Orson Welles' Citizen Kane was to have a profound and lasting effect on the art of modern mo...
Arguably the greatest of American films, Orson Welles' 1941 masterpiece, made when he was ... more
only 26, still unfurls like a dream and carries the viewer along the mysterious currents of time and memory to reach a mature (if ambiguous)conclusion: people are...
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Arguably the greatest of American films, Orson Welles' 1941 masterpiece, made when he was ... more
only 26, still unfurls like a dream and carries the viewer along the mysterious currents of time and memory to reach a mature (if ambiguous) conclusion: people ar...
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In May of 1941, RKO Radio Pictures released a controversial film by a 25-year-old, ... more
first-time director. That premiere of Orson Welles' CITIZEN KANE was to have a profound and lasting effect on the art of modern motion pictures.Through its unique jigsaw puzzle storyline, inventive cinematography, brilliant ensemble acting and directions by Welles, the story of Charles Foster Kane is a fascinating portrait of America's love of power and materialism and the corruption it sometimes fosters. Like all great films, CITIZEN KANE is a memorable fusion of cinematic art and marvellous entertainment.
ONE OF THE BEST LOVED FILMS OF ALL TIMEIn May of 1941, RKO Radio Pictures released a ... more
controversial film by a 25-year-old, first-time director. That premiere of Orson Welles' Citizen Kane was to have a profound and lasting effect on the art of modern motion pictures. Through its unique jigsaw puzzle storyline, inventive cinematography, brilliant ensemble acting and directions by Welles, the story of Charles Foster Kane is a fascinating portrait of America's love of power and materialism and the corruption it sometimes fosters. Like all great films, Citizen Kane is a memorable fusion of cinematic art and marvellous entertainment, winning an Oscar for Best Screenplay.
This limited edition film cell presentation features a photograph and strip of hand ... more
selected original 16mm film from Citizen Kane. The collection has a black mount with black frame, an individually numbered plaque and certificate of authenticity.
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Arguably the greatest of American films, Orson Welles' 1941 masterpiece, made when he was ... more
only 26, still unfurls like a dream and carries the viewer along the mysterious currents of time and memory to reach a mature (if ambiguous) conclusion: people are the sum of their contradictions and can't be known easily. Welles plays newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane, taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. The result is that every well-meaning or tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event. Written by Welles and Herman J. Mankiewicz, and photographed by Gregg Toland, the film is the sum of Welles's awesome ambitions as an artist in Hollywood. He pushes the limits of then-available technology to create a true magic show, a visual and aural feast that almost seems to be rising up from a viewer's subconscious. As Kane, Welles even ushers in the influence of Bertolt Brechton film acting. Thisis truly a one-of-a-kind work, and in many ways is still the most modern of modern films this century. --Tom Keogh
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products and framed art. We're dedicated to bringing our customers the best selection of high quality wall dιcor that is perfect for their home or office. Browse our catalog of over 300,000 items that include entertainment and specialty posters, decorative prints, and art reproductions. Whether you're looking for your favorite movie or music poster, a framed Monet reproduction, or a print of the Eiffel Tower you will find it at Allposters.co.uk. Visit our Amazon store today at www.amazon.co.uk/allposters to find Special Offers and search by subject category or artist. Allposters.co.uk provides unmatched service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your home today with your favorite pictures.
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The story behind the creation of Citizen Kane (1941) is the stuff of legend: it is the ... more
tale of how Orson Welles, a theatrical boy genius in his mid-20s, came to Hollywood with the promise of total artistic freedom and responded by creating the greatest film ever made, only to see both the film and his career destroyed by the parochial Hollywood establishment. Welles' bravery extended to his hiring of Bernard Herrmann, who repaid Welles's faith with an eclectic, groundbreaking score that set a new standard for quality and diversity. The composer applied his radio training in various parts of the score, complementing the sharp photographic contrasts of Gregg Toland with economic bridging devices. Herrmann also deployed traditional classical forms and styles in Citizen Kane: a four-note brass motif represents Kane's power, while a second motif for vibraphone is associated with the mystery of "Rosebud." Then there is "Salammbo", an evocation of 19th-century Franco-Oriental opera written for Kane's wife Susan Alexander. The subterranean, eerie music for the Xanadu estate bookends this classic disc, which should be cited anytime one wishes to make an argument for film music as an artistic rather than a commercial medium. --Kevin Mulhall
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Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Twisty, complex narrative, great technical achievement, ROSEBUD SCENE! Disadvantages: It is a bit slow in the middle
...such a classic film as Citizen Kane? It's frequently hailed as the greatest film ever made, and normally appears in the top 5 of any film list you come across. In 1941 a 25-year old Orson Welles burst into Hollywood and was given free reign to direct, produce, write and star in a film about whatever he wanted. So what did he do? He created a debut picture of such amazing technical quality that even today it still influences the film industry. ...gripping and full of drama, Citizen Kane is remembered chiefly for its technical accomplishments. In so many ways, this 1941 masterpiece was ahead of its time. The use of light and dark, and the cinematography in general is superb.
The way Welles controls the camera makes for a special cinematic experience. It constantly swoops and moves, and there is one shot early on in which the camera passes through a glass roof. This is seen nowadays ... more
Where do you even begin reviewing such a classic film as Citizen Kane? It's frequently hailed as the greatest film ever made, and normally appears in the top 5 of any film list you come across. In 1941 a 25-year old Orson Welles burst into Hollywood and was given free reign to direct, produce, write and star in a film about whatever he wanted. So what did he do? He created a debut picture of such amazing technical quality that even today it still influences the film industry.
The film begins with one of the most famous and memorable movie sequences ever made. One simple word - Rosebud - is whispered from his lips. But what does it mean? And what is the significance of the snowglobe which drops out of Charles Foster Kane's hand as he issues his final words? Set in the creepy location of an old, decrepit mansion on a hill, complete with atmospheric music and blending, black and white images, it makes for one of the most mystifying openings to a film in history.
From here, the film launches into a ten minute news report on the breaking story: millionaire newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane (played by Orson Welles) has died. The news item charts the main events of his life; from the growth of his media empire to the building of Xanadu, Kane's immense monumental pleasure dome to celebrate his own wealth.
After this, we then realise that the footage is being watched by a group of journalists, who set out to search for the meaning of his last word: Rosebud. Is it a former lover? Something he lost, or gained during his life? A racehorse he bet on? One reporter tries to track down the truth by visiting various characters in Kane's life, including his two wives, Emily Norton and Susan Alexander; his friends and his work colleagues.
As each of these people recalls their own memories, the viewer is told the story in flashbacks, beginning with Kane as a boy, then moving on to look at his business enterprise, and his relationships with wives and friends, before his gradual decline into old age. This "jigsaw puzzle" structure further develops and explains the brief statements shown in the obituary footage, creating a story which slowly unfolds before our eyes.
Although the story is gripping and full of drama, Citizen Kane is remembered chiefly for its technical accomplishments. In so many ways, this 1941 masterpiece was ahead of its time. The use of light and dark, and the cinematography in general is superb.
The way Welles controls the camera makes for a special cinematic experience. It constantly swoops and moves, and there is one shot early on in which the camera passes through a glass roof. This is seen nowadays quite a lot, but for this to be achieved 65 years ago is very well done. Many of the scenes are filmed in long takes, which makes it more demanding for everyone involved, and Welles showed his originality by digging pits in the stage so that he could film many scenes from low camera angles, thus emphasising the huge presence of Charles Kane. According to one of the extras, this was one of the first films ever to use ceilings as part of the set, which was again quite groundbreaking in its own small way.
The film is brilliantly edited, with the blending of images as I mentioned before a strongly-used technique in this film. There are also a lot of good cuts made for humorous effect, such as a famous breakfast table scene between Kane and his first wife, as their relationship slowly crumbles. There is one moment that springs to mind in which a cockatoo is randomly edited in between the merging of two scenes, shrieking for surprise effect. I don't know what it represents (if anything at all), but it's certainly effective.
The musical score by Bernard Herrman is fantastic, and is considered one of the best film scores ever written. It changes frequently from moody to triumphant to playful and jolly, and there are even a few opera scenes which were written by the composer. If you recognised the name, he went on to conduct some classic Hitchcock scores, such as for the film Vertigo.
Technical achievements can go to waste if the basics aren't up to scratch, such as the screenplay and the acting. The script, co-written by Orson Welles and Herman Mankiewicz, is bursting with wit and humour; more so than I was expecting from a serious drama. This humour is performed perfectly in an Oscar-nominated turn from Welles, particularly as the arrogant, ambitious younger Kane. In the second half, as he gets older, the film becomes more serious, and he thoroughly convinces in the latter part of the film just as much as the former.
The make up is very good; it really does make a 25 year old look like a 70 year old. Apparently, because of his weight and his self-consciousness, Welles had extensive make up even when he played the younger Kane, to make him look younger and less like himself! As a 70 year old, he also perfects the walk and mannerisms of an old man extremely convincingly.
The rest of the cast are good in their roles, although none particularly stand out. They were mostly members of Orson Welles's theatre group rather than screen actors, and none of them are particularly famous names. Nevertheless, they all convince and do some good work all round.
The ending of the film is surprisingly powerful, and very easy to understand after what was - well, not a complex plot - but a story told in a complicated way. You'll be glad to know that the identity of "Rosebud" is revealed, and it's probably a more perfect conclusion than you could have ever imagined. You'll be frustrated and surprised, and one character provides a brilliant close to the film with these lines: "I don't think any word can explain a man's life. I guess Rosebud was just a piece in a jigsaw puzzle".
That sums it up for me: the purpose of the film is not simply to find out the meaning of one word, it's to show to the viewer the story of a complex man, and the consequences of power, greed and money, whilst using the man's final words as a means to this story.
Citizen Kane really is a brilliant movie; I could even call it life-changing if I was a person with a leaning to hyperbole. It was a groundbreaking technical achievement, but at heart there simply lies a genuinely fascinating story, which is beautifully told. The only fault I can find is that the pace does slow a little in the middle, so if you don't have a huge attention span you might get bored. It's certainly not a film to entertain the kids on a Saturday afternoon! _____________________________________________
The cheapest you can buy Citizen Kane online is £5.97 from www.amazon.co.uk (plus postage unless you spend more than £10) or £5.99 from www.play.com (no postage). These are just the regular single disc versions, but for a couple of pounds more you can purchase the Special Edition 2 disc version, which is very good. _______________________________________________
Directed by: Orson Welles
Starring:
Orson Welles played Charles Foster Kane Joseph Cotten Jedediah Leland Dorothy Comingore Susan Alexander Agnes Moorehead Mary Kane Ruth Warrick Emily Norton Ray Collins James Gettys Erskine Sanford Herbert Carter Everett Sloane Mr Bernstein William Alland Jerry Thompson Paul Stewart Raymond George Coulouris Walter Thatcher
How can a reviewer possibly approach 'Citizen Kane' from a fresh angle? Revered and studied and analyzed in the minutest detail by anyone with even the slightest interest in film, there's very little new to be said about it.
So let me begin by saying, as Film student, I can sit down in front of Welles' third greatest achievement and pick out all the reasons why every critic for the past 60 years has hailed it as the greatest film ever made. I can ... ...I recognise it as one of the greatest films ever made, I could pick 200 films I'd rather watch.
Poor kid Charles Foster Kane is adopted by a starchy millionaire at an early age. Having a silver spoon forced into his mouth, the child thrives. Money leads to more money, and as an adult, he becomes a successful newspaper magnate. We follow Kane through numerous marriages, broken friendships, business ventures and failed political ambitions. Kane eventually ...
Plissken 26.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Citizen Kane (DVD)
Advantages: Fast moving Disadvantages: One must concentrate intensily
Citizen Kane might be a film difficult to watch, understand and learn something. It is a philosophycal biography. It is about power, money, ressentment. A man (rather a boy,- this is the first lesson: we always remain children trying to make up our lost childhood. He, Kane, played by the excellent Orson Wells compensates, in his adult life, the poverty and loss of the comfort of having a loving family, by making money, money and money. Not enough, ...
OSK 30.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Citizen Kane (DVD)
Advantages: 'Rosebud', classic, stunning innovation for the time Disadvantages: Boring, slow and disappointing due to the hype
...and an enjoyable one. Citizen Kane is a classic - but it is not the greatest movie ever made, people who tell you this are boring film buffs who either marvel at the interesting use of camera angles and lighting, or are incapable of making a decision themselves and follow the advice of many film critics. Its a good movie, its a classic but oh boy I have only ever watched it once and that was enough for me. The story centres on the death of a newspaper ... ...his last words Rosebud and we see in detail the life of this man. As a character piece this movie is outstanding - Orson Welles as the protagonist gives power to the man who starts out as an idealist and becoming more powerful, corrupt and egocentric as he ages. For the time the effects are stunning, using new camera and direction techniques (such as the depiction of a marriage over many years shown simply over the breakfast table) which have become ...
biscuit 24.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Citizen Kane (DVD)
Advantages: Greatest Film Ever? Disadvantages: You Find One....... I can't!
It is commonly argued that Citizen Kane is the greatest film of all time,
It has become a part of American Folklore
It was the first film by Orson Welles. He was only 26 when he wrote, produced, directed and starred in the film
Plot: Charles Foster Kane, a Multimillionaire newspaper tycoon, dies alone in his Mansion, Xanadu. Before he dies he drops a Crystal ball and utters the Word 'Rosebud' In what is one of the most famous clips in Cinema History. ... ...113-Minute Documentary: "The Battle over Citizen Kane"
The Production
Post Production
Production Notes
Welles Filmography
New York Premiere Footage
Price: £5
If you have not seen this film you have not experienced true cinema at its very best . A recent craze has been to class films in terms of top tens and films to watch before you die. This film could easily come out on top of both of these charts and is a definate must see. 10/10 ...
lukedspurs 04.05.2007 (05.05.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Citizen Kane (DVD)
Advantages: Historically important Disadvantages: Hard work
Citizen Kane! Mention it's name and you imagine a masterpiece of film making, the holy grail of the cinema. Actually watch it and you're in for a shock. Let's be honest here, this is a visually stunning film and certainly a masterpiece but that alone doesn't make a great film and that's the big problem here. Yes this is an artistically brilliant film, and those arty types who get off on this sort of thing may love it, but your everyday man in the ... ...he/she sees and with Kane you'll end up finding it dull, dull, dull. For most people this will be hard work if you're trying to simply sit back and be entertained. What we do get is a great idea for a story (the life tale of a newspaper tycoon), a set of excellent performances, and the one of the most memorable single words in cinematic history. The direction is excellent and the production rich and sumptuous but it's not an easy film to watch.
...
TheNeil 07.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Citizen Kane (DVD)
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Advantages: Well adapted from the novel, the film over-all holds up well. Disadvantages: Some of the acting styles and conventions are dated.
the kind of crispness that some black and white films on DVD have. I don't know if the fault is with how the black levels are set or with how the film was originally shot. I do know there is quite a bit of film grain visible but it is not distracting unless you've recently watched something utterly pristine like say the CitizenKane on DVD.
The audio is present in the Dolby 2.0 mono mix format. The Dolby mix adds a little bit of depth to the sound effects but the dialogue sounds a bit disembodied. It's over-all a decent but not spectacular audio for a film nearly 50 years old.
Extra DVD Features:
Often when a classic film is released you're lucky if you you get some decent production notes, filmographies and an original trailer as part of the DVD. Thankfully, Columbia Tri-Star has added several extras to the DVD. There aren ...
Advantages: Spooky, funny, and great fun Disadvantages: Poor production value
and textures) flies, and the quips fill the air. I love this film. It ain’t The Third Man, or CitizenKane, but it is good entertainment.
The DVD has a variety of special features including:
Commentary by Raimi, Campbell, producer Rob Tapert, and FX guy Greg Nicotero. This commentary track gives some insight into the making of the film. But, its real value is the amount of humor. These guys are funny.
A documentary called “The Gore the Merrier”. This is a fun little making of feature, and should be enjoyed by anyone who liked the film.
The wide screen transfer looks quite good. My old videotape was cloudy and murky. The image for this DVD has been cleaned up quite a bit.
Final thought:
Any true horror fan should have a copy of this film on their shelf. I certainly recommend it to those who enjoy zombie movies ...
In his mansion house in the middle of his sprawling Florida estate, newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane utters 'Rosebud', his last word before dying. No one has the first clue as to the meaning of the word and so reporter, Jerry Thompson, is assigned the task of finding out the meaning of the word. Thompson interviews Foster's friends, family and work colleagues to discover the truth...
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