Citizen Kane Reviews

Yawn

Because everyone says it's the best film ever blah, blah,blah I've tried watching it several times. I've read umpteen reviews as to why it's oh so brilliant but I still don't like it. as everyone else in the universe seems nuts about this film I suppose it must be me that's at fault or is there another out there who will come out of the closet and join me!!

One for film enthusiasts

If you are interested in the history and development of cinematography, then Citizen Kane is essential viewing - it is possibly the most influential film ever, and was certainly way ahead of its time. It is rightly regarded as a classic.

If you are just looking for an entertaining film with a good story I would give it a miss. The plot is a bit dull, the characters one-dimensional, and the supposed twist at the end is utterly predictable

Classic.

I really don't know where to start with this film as I was in awe all the way through. If you are like me and have never really been a favourite of the old classics watch this film.

It appears in all the top 10's around the world as a masterpiece and it truly is. Orson Welles gives a tremendous performance as Kane and the supporting cast do wonders considering this film was made by virtual amatuers.

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind ? pah !!! Citizen Kane for me everytime.

Awesome Orson

Widely regarded by many as the greatest movie ever made so I thought I'd check it out!

Amazingly Orson Welles was just 25 when he wrote, directed and acted in this sprawling beast of a pic wonderfully told by it's main characters. Stunning lighting and set-ups may leave the film lover a little flabbergasted at times!

The commentary section is worth listening to as well.

Okay.. it's not my kinda thing..

But I thought I'd give it ago!! Well I watched it until I had completed my irorning.. then I thought.. 'do I continue watching it or switch off?' and I switched off.. after over 1 hour the film felt like it wasn't going far. I know films were paced differently in the 1940's but I agree some some of the others here. I didn't even entertain the idea of putting the bonus disc in the DVD player!!!

Total and utter rubbish

What is the big deal surrounding this film? Maybe it was great in its day but it certainly isn't now. Don't bother!!

Dated classic

You can see why this film was considered the greatest film of its time; the core story is well told and you can see how innovative it was.

However the film has dated, not as much as you would expect considering when it was released, but enough to make it very difficult to relate to any of the characters and because of this it is hard to get involved with the story.

* * * This review contains spoilers * * *ShowHide

citizen cane

boring, an aquired taste

[Highly rated reviewer]

Was this really the No. 1 Classic?

I originally saw this film on television over 30 years ago and I could not remember feeling any great awe towards this story of the rise and fall of a media moghul.

I therefore took the opportunity provided by the Tesco DVD Hire Service to watch this movie again but with a more mature attitude towards the elements that constitute the making of a great movie.

I concede that for its time 'Citizen Kane' was a powerful piece of cinema and that Welles introduced techniques that have now become standard practice.

It is also true that the photography from Greg Toland is stunning and well supported by a good musical score by Bernard Herrmann and editing by Robert Wise.

However, the documentary style of the story telling left me felling that for me, this was not the best film ever, despite what the AFI may have decided.

Everybody has a personal 'Favourites List', some love 'Star Wars', others 'Lawrence of Arabia', my choice would be 'King Kong' (1933) closely followed by 'Zulu' and 'Strictly Ballroom'.

Orson Welles had great screen presence and I would like to see Sam Mendes or Michael Mann attempt to make a film based upon the life of Rupert Murdoch or Bill Gates that could equal this film. Big Clint might just get away with it!

The film was worth watching and the fact that I hired it removed the problem of deciding whether I should buy it to add to my collection.

Worth the money? Yes!

Is this jealousy that I feel

Watching this film always bring me to a creative crisis, as I remember that Welles was 24, he didn't know anything about film technique, and created what is still recognised as a text book on how to make masterpieces.

There is little more to be said that has not already been reiterated a million times by critics and movie lovers worldwide.

It looks like Welles was born with a special ability to translate all his ideas into camera movements... his training as an actor also allows him to go through 50 years of aging looking completely believable (and that's before ILM and Grinch-like make up was remotely conceivable).

But what makes this film so astonishing is also the capability the director has to make us empathise with this, cold, disturbed, ruthless, filthy rich egomaniac...

Could it be that maybe everyone of us has a Rosebud hidden in our past?

Highly highly highly recommended.