Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane

1941Movie119 minEnglish

Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane is taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. As a result, every well-meaning, 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.

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Insights

IMDb8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes99%
Metacritic100
Google Users92%
Director: Orson WellesGenres: Drama, Mystery

Plot Summary

Following the death of publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane, a reporter is tasked with uncovering the meaning of his final word, 'Rosebud.' Through a series of flashbacks, the reporter interviews Kane's former associates, piecing together the enigmatic life of the media magnate from his humble beginnings to his lonely, opulent end.

Critical Reception

Widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, Citizen Kane was a groundbreaking achievement in filmmaking. Despite initial controversy and limited box office success, its innovative narrative structure, cinematography, and Welles's directorial vision earned it immense critical acclaim over time.

What Reviewers Say

  • Revolutionary cinematography and editing techniques that reshaped cinematic language.
  • A complex and compelling character study of ambition, power, and isolation.
  • Orson Welles's masterful direction and performance are central to the film's enduring power.

Google audience: Viewers consistently praise Citizen Kane for its innovative storytelling and technical brilliance, often citing it as a masterpiece of cinema. While some find the narrative structure occasionally challenging, the overall sentiment is one of deep admiration for its artistic achievement and lasting impact.

Awards & Accolades

Won 1 Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay) and nominated for 8 others, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. Frequently tops 'greatest films of all time' lists.

Fun Fact

Orson Welles was only 25 years old when he directed, co-wrote, and starred in Citizen Kane, making him one of the youngest directors to tackle such an ambitious and critically acclaimed project.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

10 reviews
James

James

This is great but if it is actually the greatest of all time then I’ll eat my socks.
badelf

badelf

Now I know why I'm stingy with 10/10 ratings. This .. Is the film.by which all others should be judged. It has it all. From the captivating storyline to the exceptional performances, this film truly sets the bar high for cinematic excellenc...
JJJ222cool

JJJ222cool

I watched it because it keeps getting mentioned as one of the best films ever made. I was disappointed. For me it is just average, the hype is unjustified in my opinion. There are much better films from that time and later on.
testr

testr

ctually every bit as good as it supposed to be. To anyone who likes to think they're being edgy by calling it overrated or whatever, I know you're just saying it because you think it makes you cool and counter-cultural or whatever, so I pro...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

If ever there was a film epitomising the best and worst of the "American Dream" then this has to be the one.... Orson Welles has mastered the role of the playboy millionaire who decides to have a go at running a small provincial newspaper -...
Wuchak

Wuchak

_**Not the greatest film of all time, but has its points of interest**_ After the death of an American newspaper tycoon with political aspirations (Orson Welles), his relatives and associates are interviewed with one reporter trying to f...
r96sk

r96sk

Outstanding film, no question. <em>'Citizen Kane'</em>, at least to me, feels like such a unique film in terms of how it is brought to life - I don't recall seeing anything that exactly matches it in that regard. It's thoroughly entertai...
Manuel São Bento

Manuel São Bento

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com The "greatest film of all-time", everyone declares. I've been revisiting David Fincher's career this last week since he's in charge of dire...
talisencrw

talisencrw

I fondly recollect, growing up in Canada in the 70's and 80's, my mom taking my older sister and I to the cinema (my dad was more interested in watching bowling, hockey, or either crime shows, British sitcoms or hockey on TV). Despite all o...
Gurre

Gurre

"The Greatest Movie of All Time!" That's the general opinion of this movie, and I agree that it is a great movie, but I have seen better movies. The story of Citizen Kane is simple, a newspaper tycoon named Charles Foster Kane (Orson We...