Watch it now

Citizen Kane Photos

View All Photos (4)

Cast

Orson Welles
as Charles Foster Kane

Dorothy Comingore
as Susan Alexander

Joseph Cotten
as Jedediah Leland

Everett Sloane
as Bernstein

George Coulouris
as Walter Parks Thatcher

Agnes Moorehead
as Mrs. Mary Kane

Ruth Warrick
as Emily Norton Kane

Harry Shannon
as Kane Sr.

Ray Collins
as Boss James W. Gettys

Sonny Bupp
as Kane III

Erskine Sanford
as Herbert Carter

William Alland
as Jerry Thompson

Fortunio Bonanova
as Matisti

Paul Stewart
as Raymond

Gus Schilling
as Head Waiter

Buddy Swan
as Young Charles Foster Kane

Philip Van Zandt
as Mr. Rawlston

Georgia Backus
as Miss Anderson

Pedro de Cordoba
as Kane senior

Alan Ladd
as Reporter

Charles Bennett
as Entertainer

Arthur O'Connell
as Reporter

Joan Blair
as Georgia

Edmund Cobb
as Enquirer Reporter

Eddie Coke
as Reporter

Gino Corrado
as Gino

Herbert Corthell
as City Editor

Louise Currie
as Reporter

Robert Dudley
as Photographer

Al Eben
as Mike

Edith Evanson
as Nurse

Arthur Kay
as Orchestra Leader

Ellen Lowe
as Miss Townsend

Milton Kibbee

Irving Mitchell
as Dr. Corey

Benny Rubin
as Smather

Walter Sande
as Reporter

Tudor Williams
as Chorus Master

View All

News & Interviews for Citizen Kane

Critic Reviews for Citizen Kane

Audience Reviews for Citizen Kane

• Oct 09, 2018

  In this film we see the arc of a wealthy man's life from childhood memories to his aspirations after college, from wielding power in the middle of life to an end that, amidst vast wealth and opulence, simply looks back on childhood, and then goes up in smoke. Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) may have been based on William Randolph Hearst and the film a critique of the 'rich and powerful', but there are elements it that are also universal. It takes a piercing look into how people change over time, how power corrupts, and how all life is transient. Kane may have all of the benefits that money brings, but he's also a little broken inside, with perhaps a narcissistic or attachment disorder stemming from having been given up for adoption by his own biological parents when he was a boy (and that, in turn, hinted as being due to his father's abuse). He therefore has no real friends, or true love. He positions himself as a 'man of the people', but he's aloof and above them from all, using them to amplify his own power. He may collect all of the statues he can find in Europe for his castle in America, but ultimately dies like anyone else, without any real meaning, and his possessions disbursed. It's fascinating to watch Kane evolve over the film. His days as a young man are full of hubris and the desire to run a newspaper, mainly to push social messages. While he also has a knack for increasing circulation via sensationalism, he's also pure enough to pen a 'Declaration of Principles' that promises to publish truth, free of special interests. In a fantastic exchange, his friend Jedediah (Joseph Cotten) points out that his first two sentences have started with the word "I", and as we'll see, the 'special interest group' that Kane sells out to is Kane himself. He gradually morphs to begin abusing the power he has as a publisher, swaying opinions on war, and flat out saying that the people will think what he tells them to think. Kane's relationships also evolve in interesting ways. Early on he seems so close with Jedediah, jovial and dancing at office parties, but he fires him without thinking twice about it when Jedediah dares to publish the truth in a review of his second wife's awful performance at the opera. In a parallel way, we see this second wife (Dorothy Comingore) go from a humble, nice, and honest woman he meets on the street one night to a spoiled and vindictive wife, then bitter alcoholic. She speaks about Kane over a drink in a two-bit club, and Jedediah speaks about him from an assisted living facility. The film has a rather dark view of the endgame that awaits us all. The transience of life is further emphasized by little moments in the supporting cast, such as Bernstein (Everett Sloane) saying of his own life these fantastic lines: "A fellow will remember a lot of things you wouldn't think he'd remember. You take me. One day, back in 1896, I was crossing over to Jersey on the ferry, and as we pulled out, there was another ferry pulling in, and on it there was a girl waiting to get off. A white dress she had on. She was carrying a white parasol. I only saw her for one second. She didn't see me at all, but I'll bet a month hasn't gone by since that I haven't thought of that girl." Orson Welles is excellent as both actor and director, and the way the story is told, via flashbacks from multiple perspectives and short jumps in time, is compelling. He also utilizes a number of innovative and interesting visual techniques that feel modern. If you're looking for a film with an uplifting message, one with action, or one that will leave you feeling warm, this is not your film. On the other hand, there is such honesty here about power and about life, the filmmaking is fantastic, and it has an ending that is absolutely devastating, in those plumes of smoke going up into the night sky.
  Antonius B Super Reviewer
• Jun 25, 2016

  Orson Welles appeared on-screen in this, wrote and directed the film when he was quite young, about 24 and a half. His first feature becomes a landmark of a masterpiece for the last 75 years ago. There must be a 75th Anniversary re-release of this film.
  Film C Super Reviewer
• Jun 20, 2016

  I watched this movie for the first time at 23 years old after hearing how it was a work of cinematic art. After watching, I thoroughly agree. Some of the shots in this movie are amazing and awe-inspiring. Knowing the end of the movie does take away from some of the movie in ways, but it also adds to the futility of the search. Truly a classic, nothing else needs to be said.
  Hayden B Super Reviewer
• Nov 13, 2015

  "Citizen Kane" is a great 1940's drama classic. This movie has a great plot, amazing acting and very dramatic scenes. "Citizen Kane" is a great drama and I would recommend it to anyone who likes old dramas'. I give "Citizen Kane" a 8.5/10.
  Steve G Super Reviewer

Citizen Kane Quotes

News & Features