Citizen Kane (1941)

Director:

Orson Welles

Writers:

Herman J. Mankiewicz (screenplay) and
Orson Welles (screenplay)

Release Date:

1 mayo 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Frase comercial:

365 days in the making - and every minute of it an exciting NEW thrill for you !

Plot:

Following the death of a publishing tycoon, news reporters scramble to discover the meaning of his final utterance.

Plot Keywords:

Rosebud | Boarding House | Variety | Hospital | Loneliness

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 9 nominations

Comentarios de los usuarios:

Love The Cinematography; Story Not That Appealing

US TV Schedule:

Thur. May 15

8:30 AM

TCM

Cast

Joseph Cotten	...	Jedediah Leland
Dorothy Comingore	...	Susan Alexander Kane
Agnes Moorehead	...	Mary Kane
Ruth Warrick	...	Emily Monroe Norton Kane
Ray Collins	...	James W. Gettys
Erskine Sanford	...	Herbert Carter
Everett Sloane	...	Mr. Bernstein
William Alland	...	Jerry Thompson
Paul Stewart	...	Raymond
George Coulouris	...	Walter Parks Thatcher
Fortunio Bonanova	...	Signor Matiste
Gus Schilling	...	The Headwaiter
Philip Van Zandt	...	Mr. Rawlston
Georgia Backus	...	Bertha Anderson
Harry Shannon	...	Kane's Father

También conocida como:

American (USA) (working title)
John Citizen, U.S.A. (USA) (working title)
Ciudadano Kane (International: Spanish title) (Spain) [es]
Ciudadano, El (Argentina) [es]

Duración:

119 min

País:

USA

Idioma:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sonido:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Clasificación:

Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Brazil:12 | Netherlands:6 | South Korea:12 | Canada:F (Ontario) | Finland:K-11 (DVD rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G (original rating) | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | Chile:TE | Finland:K-16 | Germany:12 | Ireland:12 (DVD rating) (2003) | Israel:PG | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:U (video rating) (1985) | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Mercury Productions

Trivialidades:

For the later scenes featuring an older Kane, Orson Welles sat in the make-up chair from 2:30 am to be ready for a 9:00 am start.

Goofs:

Continuity: The first time we see the backstage preparations before Susan sings, the shadow of the curtain rising has a completely straight bottom edge. The second time we see this scenario, this time from behind Susan, as the curtain rises, the bottom of the curtain is adorned with a series of prominent curves.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Charles Foster Kane: Rosebud.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Lace (1984) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Funeral March

Love The Cinematography; Story Not That Appealing

Hey, make no mistake: this film does deserve lofty status. It is a good film, fantastically photographed.....but the greatest of all time? I question that, but that kind of question - Who's number one? - is impossible to answer.

I would think to be number one you would have to have a great technical film, great story, great acting, great camera-work as this has, AND have it generally loved by the public. Then you have a true number one picture of all time. I'm not a fan of "Gone With The Wind," but that was a technical marvel, too, for its day and was universally loved by millions of people....so I can see that being listed number over Citizen Kane. The same goes for Casablanca, Ben-Hur and a number of wonderful films.

Anway, concerning this movie, I enjoyed it best for the cinematography. Orson Welles, the "genius" behind this film, was ahead of his time with his inventive camera-work. The acting is good and it's interesting to note that this was Welles' first acting role. Yes, he was an amazing talent, behind or in front of the camera. The story is pretty unlikable and, in this day and age would be too boring for most people under 50, sad to say. However, even older, more "mature" folks find this hard to get through sometimes from what I have read.

The unlikable part mainly comes from the lead character, "Charles Foster Kane," played by Welles. He is simply a selfish egomaniac. Other unpleasant parts of the story include several scenes with his second wife, in which she berates him in this shrill hysterical voice; the fact there is very little humor in here and the ending is anything but uplifting.

For those who find this a confusing story, I suggest giving it another chance. I found this film better the more chances I gave it. It also looks fabulous on the latest special-edition DVD. In summary, it was a great technical achievement but remember professional critics usually have the same mindset and are afraid to be their own person, so don't feel stupid or inadequate if this film doesn't do it for you. You are hardly alone. But, yet, that camera-work has to be seen and appreciated if you really love movies.