Citizen kane itself is a work of exhibitionism by orson welles, a clever magician. Citizen kane simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This year is the 75th anniversary of the most acclaimed movie of all time. Cinelinx takes a look at the much praised citizen kane to see if it really deserves all the accolades it has received. Citizen kane had a lot of revolutionary film making techniques in it for the time. Jun 28, 2014 citizen kane orson welles june 28, 2014 june 28, 2014 thefilmguide1994 sight and sound magazine consistently voted citizen kane the greatest film ever made from 1952 2002, and arguably only dropped that streak to second this year due to the media hype surrounding the bfis celebration of alfred hitchcocks work on london southbank. At the height of the hollywood studio system, when studio bosses controlled every aspect of filmmaking from production to exhibition, this film was made by a handful of brilliant artists who were given virtually the unprecedented creative freedom to do whatever they wanted.
Citizen kane is the greatest film ever made daily mail. In 1998, it was voted number one by the american film institute out of 100 of the greatest hollywood films ever. Citizen kane is the margin by which all of welles later efforts came to be judged and also, in many ways, the benchmark of film production. Why is citizen kane considered the best movie ever. Basically any way you look at it, citizen kane is a rewarding film, esp. Citizen kane citizen kane, a movie that was nominated for nine academy awards and won the academy award for best writing is considered to be one of the greatest movies ever made. Last year, it stalled at number 33 in empire magazines readers poll number one was the empire strikes back. Jul 20, 2015 to be fair, citizen kane doesnt head every greatest films list.
Unlike other landmark filmmaking oldies such as birth of a nation or battleship potemkin, citizen kane is not a snoozer its really amazingly entertaining. As a landmark work in the history of cinema, it ranks among the few films ever produced for which a remake, in the opinion. Though the title of greatest movie ever is impossible to possess, citizen kane s praises have become so commonplace that, unfortunately, some tend to take its cinematic command for granted even though the film proved orson welles. The following list includes the top 100 greatest movies of all time, according to the american film institute, including films such as citizen kane, the godfather, and casablanca. Considered by many critics, filmmakers, and fans to be the greatest film ever made. Citizen kane a masterpiece at 50 roger ebert roger ebert.
Just because citizen kane is often cited as the greatest film ever made or the most important film of all time and just because you might have had to watch it in an intro to film class does not mean its homework. Three score years and 10 after its new york premiere in may 1941, it is still everywhere. Citizen kane voted greatestever american film in bbc poll. Some surveys focus on all films, while others focus on a particular genre or country. The most lauded american movie ever, citizen kane was controversial even before it premiered 75 years ago. How fitting that a film about the elusiveness of truth is the subject of endless argument. Anyone who has ever taken a film class before would tell you that watching orson wells citizen kane is just about mandatory. This is a list of films considered the best ever in national and international surveys of critics and the public. One of the greatest films of all time made its debut on may 1st, 1941. Do you reenact scenes from films when nobody is watching or even when they are. Jan 15, 2007 citizen kane is maybe for a lot of people myselve not included not a real entertaining movie, but there is no doubt about it that aws one of the most important movies ever made. After making what many people cite as the greatest film ever made, citizen kane 1941, the multitalented actor, writer.
Internet critics name citizen kane the greatest movie of. Considered by many critics, filmmakers, and fans to be the greatest film ever made, citizen. The citizen kane of its genre is about as lavish an expression of praise as any film might hope to achieve. The american film institute asked more than 1,500 members of the film community to pick the 100 best films of all time from a list of 400 movies nominated by the institute. Citizen kanes unique status in the canon of american cinema is rooted in its singular place in hollywood history. A nearly complete history of the greatest movie ever made. The orson welles drama turns 75 this year, continues to be hailed by critics as the greatest movie ever made and gets a special screening sunday at. Citizen kane, american film drama, released in 1941, that was directed, produced, and cowritten by orson welles, who also starred in the lead role. Citizen kane, which is thought to be the greatest movie ever. The structure of citizen kane is circular, adding more depth every time it passes over the life.
Aug 01, 2012 the directors top 10 greatest films of all time. The american film institute asked more than 1,500 members of the film community to pick the 100 best films of all time from a list of 400 movies nominated by the. I have analyzed it a shot at a time with more than 30 groups, and together we have seen. With orson welles, joseph cotten, dorothy comingore, agnes moorehead.
In 1974s f for fake, he said that kane was going to be based on hughes. Vertigo has replaced it according to sight and sounds voters, but many people will still refer to citizen kane as the greatest film of all time. Watch the american classic citizen kane 70th anniversary edition in the best of. Citizen kane orson welles cowrote, directed and starred in this film when he was only 26 years old.
With mike cowles, kenneth anderson, josh cannon, andrew nevitt. Marines attempt to stop an evil wizard from destroying the barracks. To be fair, citizen kane doesnt head every greatest films list. Why citizen kane is the greatest movie ever made youtube.
For teens and any older kids who shows a budding interest in the art of moviemaking, however, it is the mustsee portrait of an early 20th century media tycoon. Following the death of publishing tycoon charles foster kane, reporters scramble to uncover the meaning of his final utterance. For decades thebestfilm ever made tag has become almost the movie s subtitle. Feb 14, 2016 why citizen kane is the greatest movie ever made macs media. Citizen kane is the greatest movie youve probably never seen. Why citizen kane is the best movie ever made essay 760 words 4 pages the debate over casablanca and citizen kane has been a classic argument between film critics and historians alike, and this is because both of these pieces are timeless pictures that have managed to captivate audiences well after their era.
I have seen it many times and still cant bring myself to agree. Mnet wants you to star in greatest movie ever made. Citizen kane is acclaimed by many critics as the greatest movie ever made. I also have a very soft spot for robert altmans nashville, but i dont think its the greatest movie ever made. Mnet wants you to star in greatest movie ever made yomzansi. Vertigo has replaced it according to sight and sounds voters, but many people will still refer. Generally regarded as the cinemas greatest masterwork, it has topped more critics best films lists than any other movie. Orson welles debut film, based on the life of newspaper publisher william. Not just in its own flesh, as reissue, telecast or dvd, but in the monstrous spell it. With some imagination, and assistance of some friends, you might just find yourself on. Because if youve watched a movie since it was made, that movie probably used techniques developed in citizen kane. While citizen kane was a film full of distinguished debuts along with welles, it was the first feature for joseph cotten, everett sloane, ray collins, agnes moorehead, and ruth warrick the only academy award it received was for best original screenplay, for which welles shared credit with veteran screenwriter herman mankiewicz. For decades, 1941s citizen kane has been hailed as one of the greatest and most influential movies of all time.
Citizen kane orson welles june 28, 2014 june 28, 2014 thefilmguide1994 sight and sound magazine consistently voted citizen kane the greatest film ever made from 1952 2002, and arguably only dropped that streak to second this year due to the media hype surrounding the bfis celebration of alfred hitchcocks work on london southbank. Orson welles wouldve celebrated his 105th birthday on may 6, 2020. Jul 22, 2015 a critics poll conducted by the bbc has named citizen kane as the greatest american film ever made the bbc culture website said it had asked 62 critics from publications across the world. Why does everyone think citizen kane is such a great movie.
Citizen kane is arguably the greatest film of all time. The most glorious film failure of them all the guardian. Dec 21, 2001 directed by kenneth anderson, mike cowles. Buy citizen kane 70th anniversary edition dvd, bluray. A critics poll conducted by the bbc has named citizen kane as the greatest american film ever made the bbc culture website said it had asked 62 critics from publications across the world. Oct 06, 2017 in 1998 and 2007, citizen kane came out on top, while casablanca maltins alltime fave and the godfather took turns in second place. The legends of citizen kane and orson welles were, in the next halfcentury, to become one of the central myths of hollywood. Nowadays citizen kane stands for all of cinema, and i am not about to. The movie opens with newsreel obituary footage that briefs us on the life and times of charles foster kane.
Then how do so many of us still feel the best picture ever made came 70. What makes citizen kane the greatest movie ever made. Doesnt it look like kane is in front of a giant poster of himself in a massive venue. Ride in the whirlwind western starring jack nicholson, free full movie, english youtube movies duration. When it comes to citizen kane, one question eclipses all others. Why citizen kane is the most important american film ever made. Though the title of greatest movie ever is impossible to possess, citizen kanes praises have become so commonplace that, unfortunately, some tend to take its cinematic command for granted even though the film proved orson welles. Citizen kane, written, produced, and directed by a young man of 25 whom america considers a genius, is an outstanding film, amazing in its presentation and vast in its conception.
I took 2 film courses in college and it was explained to me that cinematographers consider citizen kane to be the only perfectly made film ever made because it apparently is completely flawless as far as editing goes. Is citizen kane still the greatest film of all time. There are rumours that the story of the movie is based on the life of famous businessmen william randolph hearst, howard hughes and samuel insull. Kane still remains the best 2hour lesson in filmmaking money can buy, welles employing nearly every kind of visual technique into the film, from fadeouts to noirlighting to time lapse to deep focus. Orson welles first feature film which he directed, produced, and cowrote, as well as playing the title role proved to be his most important and influential work, a groundbreaking drama loosely based on the life of william randolph hearst which is frequently cited as the finest american film ever made. Kane is a picture that announces its own greatness, he tells me. If you say its because it was one of the most visually stunning movies ever or revolutionized film making, i would tell you to watch star wars and tell ms that didnt do as much or more in both categories. Why citizen kane is the best movie ever made essay bartleby. Dec 14, 2016 ride in the whirlwind western starring jack nicholson, free full movie, english youtube movies duration. Rent citizen kane 1941 on dvd and bluray dvd netflix. But orson welless legendary masterpiece isnt the citizen kane of any particular subset of cinema e. In 1998 and 2007, citizen kane came out on top, while casablanca maltins alltime fave and the godfather took turns in second place. The use of he frame to tell a story wasnt really at this sort of level and its a fantastic example of visual story telling fundamentals every film maker should know.
Citizen kane is a 1941 american drama film by orson welles, its producer, coscreenwriter, director and star. This is the greatest movie ever made, at least from the standpoint of acting. Its very hard to single out one film when you love kubrick and truffaut and bergman and woody allen, altman and so many others. The orson welles classic about an american newspaper baron earned the international accolade. Parents need to know that citizen kane is a serious, grownup film that will have little appeal for young kids. Mnet movies is making the greatest movie ever made. Citizen kane is maybe for a lot of people myselve not included not a real entertaining movie, but there is no doubt about it that aws one of the most important movies ever made.
May 01, 2016 kane is a picture that announces its own greatness, he tells me. Its stature as the greatest film ever made developed over time, but honestly theres no such thing as the worlds greatest film. As things stand now, i cannot see how citizen kane will be replaced as top. Citizen kane is a 1941 american drama movie, starring orson welles in his first fulllength movie. Citizen kane is a 1941 american drama film by orson welles, its producer, co screenwriter. Citizen kane was yesterday declared by both critics and directors to be the greatest film ever made. Roger ebert explains why citizen kane was one of his favorite films. Orson welles film debut made when he was just 25 pioneered new techniques in directing and showcased a bravura performance from a young welles in the title role. Sep 03, 2015 for decades, 1941s citizen kane has been hailed as one of the greatest and most influential movies of all time. The visual style of citizen kane looks stunningly fresh and inventive even today, and the unconventional narrative structure of the oscarwinning screenplay still. A nearly complete history of the greatest movie ever. After screening it again over the years, he disputes the common critical label of greatest film ever made. Nominated for academy awards in nine categories, it won an academy award for best writing original screenplay by herman j.
It s more about the technique of the filming rather than the content. The orson welles drama turns 75 this year, continues to be hailed by critics as the greatest movie ever made and. For decades thebestfilmevermade tag has become almost the movie s subtitle. Personally, i have taken 9 film classes in my academic career and that movie was shown literally every single time. Guinesss perfectly overthetop performance as jock sinclair, the boozing, roughandtumble commander being restrained by the new, bythe book, desk man john mills and his ultimate, black revenge which shocks even himself, is great acting at its best, but. Aug 01, 2010 why is citizen kane considered the best movie ever. I think this is the main argument as to why it is considered a masterpiece.
Read the citizen kane movie synopsis, view the movie trailer, get cast and crew information, see movie photos, and more on movies. If it was anybody else, id say whats going to happen to you would be a lesson to you. It is a great, important work, but too weak as a story to be the greatest movie of all time. It is still considered one of the greatest films ever made. Movie critic, robert mckee, talks about his disappointing first viewing of orson welles citizen kane.
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