Citizen Kane

Watching the greatest film of all time can be daunting. Skepticism is healthy. Considering the subjective nature of entertainment, how is it possible to arrive at a conclusion about the greatest film? Nonetheless, a consensus does exist.

Reading Assignment: "Citizen Kane" by Roger P. Smith

Click here to read the article "Citizen Kane" by Roger P. Smith of The Criterion Collection.

Since the dawn of the sound era, an estimated 25,000 feature-length films have been produced—and that's in the English language alone. When, in the early 1960s, an international group of film critics were polled as to their 'number-one film of all time,' Citizen Kane was in first position. The repetition of this poll in the early 1970s and once again in 1982 produced the same result: Citizen Kane was a solid first each time. Even more important than the opinion of critics is the opinion of audiences. They too, decade after decade, have ranked Citizen Kane as their favorite film. For what truly sets Kane apart from every other film commonly called a 'masterpiece' is that it's also an enormous amount of fun.

If one thinks about it, the very idea that there could be unanimity of opinion on such a subject as 'the best movie ever made' is absurd. Not only have different generations viewed movies differently, but groups within each film-going generation seek different things. Some search for an aesthetic experience; others look for social relevance; still others rank storytelling as the ultimate purpose of a film; and yet another group believes insight into human psychology is the special province of film. Citizen Kane's accomplishment is, simply, that it achieves greatness whatever one's perspective may be.

A collage of still photographs from the film "Citizen Kane."

Even before his iconic motion picture gained notoriety, Orson Welles knew how to set the stage for a gripping visual narrative. In the following RKO trailer for Citizen Kane, he uses a few of the "language of film" techniques (use of light and shadow, props, etc.) introducing the viewing public to the cast of his movie.

View the video below to see the RKO trailer for Citizen Kane.

For proof of Welles' genius, listen to noted director John Landis discuss Citizen Kane's reputation for being one of the greatest films ever made. Landis also delivers an amusing and informative critique of the RKO trailer for Citizen Kane.

View the video below to learn more.

Here are a few very insightful videos about Welles' partner in cinematic history, Gregg Toland. Toland, like Welles, was a maverick who pushed the limits of available technology and film-making procedures to generate completely new ways of visually communicating. A deep appreciation for Tolland's contribution to Citizen Kane is key to understanding the monumental respect critics have for the film.

University of Nebraska Lincoln Film Professor Wheeler Winston Dixon digs into the history of "deep focus," a cinematic technique pioneered by Gregg Toland in which objects in the foreground, middle-ground and deep background are all in focus at the same time.

Watch the video below to learn more.

In the next presentation, contemporary directors and producers discuss Toland's contributions to cinema. Note the reverence that each speaker has for Toland's use of light and shadow.

Watch the video below for more information.

Next is a short but informative video clip that is a mini-documentary (using footage from the 1999 film RKO 281) about Toland's creative (and, at times, trying) partnership with Orson Welles during the filming of Citizen Kane.

Watch the video below for more information.

The following excerpt from Citizen Kane shows the result of Toland's and Welles' creative approach to shooting a low-angle shot.

See the presentation below for more information.

Instructions on How to Procure the Film

The film Citizen Kane can be found at most local libraries. Check the Georgia Pines Library system for the closest source of the video. The film is also available through streaming services. Those who prefer to purchase the movies should check with local stores. While excerpts of the film are available on many websites (such as YouTube), copyright restrictions may limit completeness and quality.

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.