Disapointment
- Citizen Kane review by GL
Wonderful film but a dreadful blu-ray version. It would appear that there has been no restoration of the original print and the transfer was poorly achieved. There is a constant ghosting of light, and many parts of the film have lines and blemishes. I understand that there is a much better blue ray version of this film and would suggest that cinemoparadiso invest in that and withdraw this version.
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Five star because of commentary by Roger Ebert
- Citizen Kane review by AA
I'm giving it five stars because the actual film is probably only worth about four but watch it again with the commentary by Roger Ebert, and you'll get your money's worth and see it in context. It's kind of like a guided tour.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Disappointing
- Citizen Kane review by Maureen
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the film when it first hit our screens but it does seem very dated, which was a big disappointment. If you want vintage Orson Welles go to "The Third Man" which is still gripping. The essential difference is that it's a much better story than "Citizen Kane". George R.
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Innovative drama.
- Citizen Kane review by Steve
Spoiler Alert
Updated 17/09/2021
Welles' debut is the most analysed and critically revered film ever made. Charles Foster Kane is plucked from obscurity by a quirk of fate. While he becomes a legend, the real Kane is so barely known that on his death his own newspaper launches an appraisal of his life , and the meaning of his final word: Rosebud.
Kane was based mainly on media giant William Randolph Hearst but clearly also on Welles himself. The director arrived in Hollywood at 25 claiming to know nothing about the business, which is exactly how Kane announces himself on acquiring the National Inquirer newspaper. And at that age.
Citizen Kane is a stunning looking film with Gregg Toland's glorious photography, and Welles' artistic visual imagination. Herman Mankiewicz and Welles' scenario is inventive and insightful and the dialogue laconic and witty. The performances have an offbeat quality out of step with forties Hollywood. It hums with the energy of innovation.
Welles' classic is insightful on politics and capitalism and the type of men who succeed in those fields. The film, and the character of Kane have become mythic and in the present era of populist/authoritarian political leaders Citizen Kane remains as relevant as it did in 1941.
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