Citizen Kane [VHS]
starring: William Alland, Georgia Backus, Fortunio Bonanova, Sonny Bupp, Ray Collins
![Citizen Kane [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41QFSW0H5AL._SL160_.jpg)
List Price: $19.98
Prices subject to change.
Price: $2.34
You Save: $17.64 (88%)Prices subject to change.
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Amazon.com essential video:
Arguably the greatest of American films, Orson Welles's 1941 masterpiece, made when he was only 26, still unfurls like a dream and carries the viewer along the mysterious currents of time and memory to reach a mature (if ambiguous) conclusion: people are the sum of their contradictions, and can't be known easily. Welles plays newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane, taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. The result is that every well-meaning or tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event. Written by Welles and Herman J. Mankiewicz, and photographed by Gregg Toland, the film is the sum of Welles's awesome ambitions as an artist in Hollywood. He pushes the limits of then-available technology to create a true magic show, a visual and aural feast that almost seems to be rising up from a viewer's subconsciousness. As Kane, Welles even ushers in the influence of Bertolt Brecht on film acting. This is truly a one-of-a-kind work, and in many ways is still the most modern of modern films from the 20th century. --Tom Keogh
Arguably the greatest of American films, Orson Welles's 1941 masterpiece, made when he was only 26, still unfurls like a dream and carries the viewer along the mysterious currents of time and memory to reach a mature (if ambiguous) conclusion: people are the sum of their contradictions, and can't be known easily. Welles plays newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane, taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. The result is that every well-meaning or tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event. Written by Welles and Herman J. Mankiewicz, and photographed by Gregg Toland, the film is the sum of Welles's awesome ambitions as an artist in Hollywood. He pushes the limits of then-available technology to create a true magic show, a visual and aural feast that almost seems to be rising up from a viewer's subconsciousness. As Kane, Welles even ushers in the influence of Bertolt Brecht on film acting. This is truly a one-of-a-kind work, and in many ways is still the most modern of modern films from the 20th century. --Tom Keogh
Related Items:
Browse for similar items by category:
- VHS » VHS » Genres » Drama » By Theme » Haunted by the Past
- VHS » VHS » Genres » Drama » Classics
- VHS » VHS » Genres » Drama » Period Piece
- VHS » VHS » Genres » Drama » General AAS
- VHS » VHS » Genres » Mystery & Suspense » General AAS
- VHS » VHS » Specialty Stores » Custom Stores » Archives » General » Mystery & Suspense - General
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- A Great Classic
I bought this film thinking it was one of those droning classic films that make you wait two hours before realizing what the hell is going on... well, I was wrong! Citizen Kane was a funny satire and I enjoyed watching every second. I never realized how much of a heartthrob Orson Welles was, hubba hubba! It was an interesting film, and I'm sure you'll take a piece with you after it has finished, I'm sure I did.
Rating: - Welles brilliantly cynical slice of Americana remains ageless...
Welles really pulled off a bravado act of filmmaking with this, his first film, and it's full of humor and sarcasm and, above all, brilliant flourishes of imagery throughout (the gates of Xanadu, News on the March, marriage on the rocks, opera from above, that iconic sled and ceilings).It's one of many studies on the abuse of power and the souring of the American dream, and while it's not even Welles most shattering, it's definitely among the most refreshing; few films since have been able to dramatize ... Read More
Rating: 
- Boring and aged
This is supposed to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, film ever created. I found it to be incredibly boring. Kane himself is an interesting character, but the story takes too long to develop. It drags out and leaves you wanting much more, much quicker. I'm no film buff, so I'm sure I missed all kinds of symbolism etc, but this movies just didn't do it for me. If your looking for an entertaining classic, I'd try Ben Hur or Cool Hand Luke.
Rating: 
- Kane has never made my top 5.
There is a lot to like in Citizen Kane if you are a film student or historian.The plot isn't bad either and Orson Wells broke a few molds getting this film out.If you study film history, this is the one for you.If you are looking for some entrancing entertainment, there are better choices.I've seen the film 5 times and each time I ask myself, so, where's all this best film of all time stuff located.In the beginning?Middle?Ending?Rosebud?
Like all art, film can exist on many levels. ... Read More
Rating: - Influential
I saw this movie as a school assignment in college. It is one of the most memorable assignments in may career as a student. This movie is great. It is a classic!
- A Great ClassicI bought this film thinking it was one of those droning classic films that make you wait two hours before realizing what the hell is going on... well, I was wrong! Citizen Kane was a funny satire and I enjoyed watching every second. I never realized how much of a heartthrob Orson Welles was, hubba hubba! It was an interesting film, and I'm sure you'll take a piece with you after it has finished, I'm sure I did.
- Welles brilliantly cynical slice of Americana remains ageless...Welles really pulled off a bravado act of filmmaking with this, his first film, and it's full of humor and sarcasm and, above all, brilliant flourishes of imagery throughout (the gates of Xanadu, News on the March, marriage on the rocks, opera from above, that iconic sled and ceilings).It's one of many studies on the abuse of power and the souring of the American dream, and while it's not even Welles most shattering, it's definitely among the most refreshing; few films since have been able to dramatize ... Read More
- Boring and agedThis is supposed to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, film ever created. I found it to be incredibly boring. Kane himself is an interesting character, but the story takes too long to develop. It drags out and leaves you wanting much more, much quicker. I'm no film buff, so I'm sure I missed all kinds of symbolism etc, but this movies just didn't do it for me. If your looking for an entertaining classic, I'd try Ben Hur or Cool Hand Luke.
- Kane has never made my top 5.There is a lot to like in Citizen Kane if you are a film student or historian.The plot isn't bad either and Orson Wells broke a few molds getting this film out.If you study film history, this is the one for you.If you are looking for some entrancing entertainment, there are better choices.I've seen the film 5 times and each time I ask myself, so, where's all this best film of all time stuff located.In the beginning?Middle?Ending?Rosebud?
Like all art, film can exist on many levels. ... Read More
- InfluentialI saw this movie as a school assignment in college. It is one of the most memorable assignments in may career as a student. This movie is great. It is a classic!
