An influential and important cinematic landmark

Rating: 10/10 (8 October 2001)

Anyone who considers themself a film buff has undoubtedly viewed Citizen Kane at least once or certainly heard of it. It is simply one of the most lauded and recognizable films ever made in any language. It tops many alltime greatest films lists, including that by the American Film Institute. It is a required piece of viewing in any beginning film school. It's filming techniques and cinematography redefined the way films are made. It contains one of the most famous characters in cinema history, and the character isn't even human! These and many other points help to distinguish Citizen Kane as a true classic, but the real value of it comes from who made it.
Orson Welles, at the age of 26, wrote, directed, and starred in this monumental film. Showing extrordinary talent in each regard, he solidifed his place in the annals of filmlore. He was a magician with a movie camera, and using it he created many images that were considered impossible to film at the time this was made. Although impressive, the camerawork never overshadows the story, which centers around the life of powerful media mogul Charles Foster Kane, a not so subtle takeoff of William Randolph Hearst. The supporting cast is great in telling the life story of Kane, but Welles and his camera are the real stars.
Citizen Kane can be viewed as THE art film, but it has entertainment value as well. Each viewing presents something new and and innovative, and it is certainly watchable more than once. That is what makes Citizen Kane the great film it is.