In May 1941, it premiered in a New York cinema, only to become an initial flop. Today, 85 years later, "Citizen Kane" is considered by many to be the greatest film ever made.
The black-and-white film by Hollywood's wonder boy Orson Welles — who was 25 at the time — tells the story of fictional media mogul Charles Foster Kane, in whom contemporaries believed they could easily recognize media mogul William Hearst (1863–1951). The film bombed — at least at first.
So what is it about this work of cinema history that makes it so acclaimed?
The story of the 'greatest film of all time'
In 1952, the team behind the specialist journal Sight and Sound, published by the British Film Institute, had the idea of asking critics to name the "Greatest Films of All Time." This tradition has been repeated every ten years since (and is, of course, just one of many best-of lists).
In 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992 and 2002, "Citizen Kane" topped that prestigious list. In the most recent list (from 2022), "Citizen Kane" ranks third, behind Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo" in second place ("Vertigo" was number one in 2012).
Going by the most recent ranking, "Citizen Kane" is no longer the best film of all time.
In a likely surprise to most, first place is now Chantal Akerman's feminist work "Jeanne Dielman" (full original title: "Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles", available on Mubi). Meanwhile on the IMDb list of the top 250 films, "Citizen Kane" is only ranked 113th, according to the website's millions of voters. The uplifting prison story "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994) is first.
What 'CitizenKane' is about
In the highly acclaimed "Citizen Kane," a group of reporters tries to explain the last word reportedly spoken by newspaper magnate and politician Charles Kane, who died alone. That word is "Rosebud."
The film opens with a newsreel informing the public about Kane's life. A series of flashbacks then shows various scenes from that life. By the end, the mystery of "Rosebud" is solved.
Audiences watch as Kane inherits a vast fortune as a young boy, builds a media empire as a young adult and ultimately becomes a ruthless man of power.
The sweeping political career that might have crowned his rise is denied him — it collapses because of an affair with singer Susan Alexander, which also destroys his marriage.
Kane marries Susan and becomes obsessed with turning the largely talentless singer into an opera star. The venture fails. Kane dies a bitter old man in his grand castle, Xanadu.
What makes 'CitizenKane' special
Today's viewing habits may make the film seem less remarkable than it once did. But if you try, as best you can, to mentally transport yourself back to 1941, the sheer wealth of innovation becomes apparent.
In visual terms, the film made considerable demands on cinema audiences: extensive use of deep focus, symbolically charged reflections, strong contrasts and sequences shot from extreme high angles (top-down) or low angles (bottom-up).
"Citizen Kane" was also revolutionary for the development of sound in film, then still relatively new. Welles had actors talk over one another and interrupt each other — unheard of at the time.
The film also features an unusual, rather unsympathetic lead character with whom audiences can barely identify. The New York Times once described Kane as an almost Shakespearean figure, somewhere between Hamlet and Lear.
Also striking is the break with linear storytelling. Time jumps occur even within individual scenes. The best example is a breakfast table sequence that shows how Kane's first marriage deteriorates over the years. The setting is always the same room; only the costumes and make-up change. The length of the dining table also grows — effectively conveying the growing distance between the couple.
Welles played Kane at every adult age, spending many hours each day in the make-up chair. His portrayal of Kane is cited as an early example of method acting — a technique in which the actor immerses themselves completely, almost obsessively, in their role.
"Citizen Kane" is regarded as a prototype of the so-called auteur film, because Orson Welles had a hand in almost every artistic aspect, including the screenplay.
Did 'Citizen Kane' win many awards?
After "Citizen Kane" was released, media tycoon Hearst — who believed the film was about him — launched a campaign against lead actor and director Orson Welles, co-writer Herman J. Mankiewicz and the film studio RKO.
Despite its box-office failure, the film was a hit with cinephiles from the start. At the 1942 Oscars, it received nine nominations. However, the film ultimately won only one Academy Award — for best original screenplay, shared between Welles and Mankiewicz.
In late 2020, Netflix released "Mank," starring Gary Oldman in the title role. The film tells the story of alcoholic screenwriter Mankiewicz and his dispute with Welles over the "Citizen Kane" screenplay.
As if the Academy wanted to make up for its failure 80 years earlier, the film by director David Fincher ("Se7en," "Fight Club," "Gone Girl") received ten Oscar nominations in 2021. It won two awards — best cinematography and best production design — surpassing the single Oscar won by "Citizen Kane."
The Mann family, a literary dynasty often referred to as 'Germany's Kennedys' was a prominent, intellectual and wealthy family of writers and artistsImage: Ernest E. Gottlieb/akg-images/picture alliance
