Citizen Kane

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3:44

Citizen Kane

PG

In Theaters Jul 5

1h 59m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

134 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

When a reporter is assigned to decipher newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane's (Orson Welles) dying words, his investigation gradually reveals the fascinating portrait of a complex man who rose from obscurity to staggering heights. Though Kane's friend and colleague Jedediah Leland (Joseph Cotten), and his mistress, Susan Alexander (Dorothy Comingore), shed fragments of light on Kane's life, the reporter fears he may never penetrate the mystery of the elusive man's final word, "Rosebud."

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In Theaters Jul 5

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Critics Consensus

Orson Welles's epic tale of a publishing tycoon's rise and fall is entertaining, poignant, and inventive in its storytelling, earning its reputation as a landmark achievement in film.

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Orson Welles

Director

Orson Welles

Charles Foster Kane

Joseph Cotten

Jedediah Leland

Ruth Warrick

Emily Norton Kane

Everett Sloane

Bernstein

Agnes Moorehead

Mrs. Mary Kane

Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

2d

5/5

I don’t care if Welles was 25 or 85, or if the movie was made in ‘41 or 2014 – we would still rightfully be in awe of the filmmaking.

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Tom Huddleston

Time Out

12/12/2024

5/5

It remains as witty, tragic, unlikely, unique and fascinating as ever.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

01/18/2024

Genuinely innovative film-making.

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Bob Ross

Tampa Tribune

May 28

4/4

Retains a seamless simplicity despite its complex main character.

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

07/01/2024

5/5

Utterly unmissable.

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Noah Gittell

Washington City Paper

09/14/2023

Kane innovated several filmmaking techniques. The film pioneered a genre.

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Kia B

Sep 8

Proof that all good classic films should be seen on the big screen. Seeing the issues of my grandparents time shows the more things change, the more they stay the same.

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R

Sep 8

A true classic. It's been so homaged and referenced that it may seem cliche but thats BECAUSE it's a classic. The Mise-en-scne and thoughtfulness of the production is breathtaking on the big screen. If you get the chance to see it in a theater, GO!

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Chris H

@RT60525826 Jun 8

Often cited as the best film ever made and you can see why. It's not just the story or the acting, it's the way it's made - and the only way to understand that is to watch it. Welles's Kane is by turn ebullient, petulant and morbid and he's fascinating to watch, but the structure and the camera work are the real stars. There's no point in me telling you what it's about - you need to experience it for yourself.

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Jonathan S

@RT71093787 Jun 4

I saw this movie once when I was in my late teens. I found it boring, sluggish, and sophomoric, even with all of the so-called "innovations" Mr. Welles supposedly invented (I saw nothing I hadn't seen in better films). And Today, I cannot for the life of me understand people falling down and wetting themselves over this bloated film.

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Rex W

@RT28578097 May 28

In this day and age, I think "Citizen Kane" is revered because of its reputation, not because it has viewers glued to their seats. Folks feel compelled to like "Citizen Kane" because they feel they are supposed to. But quietly, most of today's viewers don't think very much of it and ask, "What is the big deal?" I gave "Citizen Kane" another try a couple of weeks ago. It is my 4th viewing over the last 50 years. I still don't think it is worth the fuss.

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Jayden C

@RT79235533 May 20

An infamous film for a reason, there are so many examples on why each act of this film inspired others after it. From setting ground breaking modern filmmaking techniques to characters etc..

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Synopsis

When a reporter is assigned to decipher newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane's (Orson Welles) dying words, his investigation gradually reveals the fascinating portrait of a complex man who rose from obscurity to staggering heights. Though Kane's friend and colleague Jedediah Leland (Joseph Cotten), and his mistress, Susan Alexander (Dorothy Comingore), shed fragments of light on Kane's life, the reporter fears he may never penetrate the mystery of the elusive man's final word, "Rosebud."

Director: Orson Welles
Producer: Orson Welles
Screenwriter: Herman J. Mankiewicz, Orson Welles, John Houseman
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: Mercury Productions, RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 1, 1941, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 5, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $977.3K
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Academy (1.33:1)