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Citizen Kane

Play trailer 3:44 Poster for Citizen Kane PG In Theaters Jul 5 1h 59m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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99% Tomatometer 132 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."
Citizen Kane

What to Know

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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Cast & Crew

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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

Critics Reviews

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Tom Huddleston Time Out 12/12/2024
5/5
It remains as witty, tragic, unlikely, unique and fascinating as ever. Go to Full Review Wendy Ide The Times (UK) 01/18/2024
Genuinely innovative film-making. Go to Full Review Ida Belle Hicks Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com 03/02/2021
We aren't going to quibble about the genius business. Time will take care of that and if Welles goes down in history as one well be happy to have been among those who enjoyed the results of his great talent. Go to Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times 07/01/2024
5/5
Utterly unmissable. Go to Full Review Noah Gittell Washington City Paper 09/14/2023
Kane innovated several filmmaking techniques. The film pioneered a genre. Go to Full Review Manuel São Bento MSB Reviews 07/24/2023
A+
Everything about this movie's production and origin, the precedent-setting technical aspects, and the innovative storytelling all prove that Orson Welles was a perfectionist filmmaker far ahead of its time. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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. See more 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! See more Khalid F @RT38823470 1d A movie with a great plot for it being an older movie. After my watch I really appreciated the storyline that was used and the directing as well. See more Evelyn X @yiyi1111 3d A boy inherits a massive fortune from a stranger and is raised by a banker, far away from his parents. At first, he seems like a good man—caring, easy-going, and charming. However, as his life is revealed through the memories of others, it becomes clear that he is overly controlling. What he truly craves is emotional connection, respect, and love. He cannot tolerate being disrespected or facing indignity. This pride leads to his divorce. Because he couldn't stand the public's rejection, he forced his second wife to sing just to prove he was right. Ultimately, he only cares about himself. So, what is "Rosebud"? Just a missing piece of the puzzle? Perhaps it represents the only thing in his life untouched by money and the outside world, his lost innocence. See more Belle M @belovedbels Apr 3 Such a classic film! Tragic story but strong story telling! See more Griffith J @griffithxjohnson Mar 30 This is the movie equivalent to Metallica as it’s not terribly exciting yet a pivotal & respectable foundation for all I love in modern art. It’s an impressive feat from Welles to director, produce, write, & star in his first venture into Hollywood & for the result to be such an iconic success. It has many awesome technical & narrative aspects that lay the groundwork for the industry to come. An interesting chronicle of life that is more about the characters than the story. Dated but not obsolete even if the characters are removed from reality by how overdramatic they talk & act. See more Read all reviews
Citizen Kane

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Citizen Kane

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Citizen Kane

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Movie Info

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)
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