CITIZEN KANE
CAST: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Everett Sloane, Dorothy Comingore,
Ruth Warrick, George Coulouris, Ray Collins, William Alland, Paul Stewart, Eskrine Sandford, Agnes Moorehead, Alan Ladd, Gus Schilling, Phillip Van Zandt, Harry Shannon, Sonny Bupp, Arthur O'Connell.
Directed by Orson Welles
Written by Orson Welles and Herman J. Mankiewics
Cinematography by Gregg Toland
Music by Bernard Herrman
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?: It is an American drama about the rise and fall of a newspaper tycoon (Welles). From his humble beginnings to the solitude of his final years. This film is loosely based on the life of William Randolph Hearst. The movie is a mix of "fragmented narration to breathtaking, deep-focus cinematography; from a vivid soundtrack to fabulous ensemble cast." Welles was only 25 years old when he created this "masterpiece."
BEST LINE: "Rosebud" - The whole movie goes around this phrase.
.............
WHAT DO I THINK: You really got to be a film critic to understand why this is the best movie ever made. The facts about the film's music and cinematography are true. The story is compelling and interesting. An excellent, touching, and original drama. Orson Welles does a great and convincing acting job as Kane. The begining scene in which we are shown Xanadu (Kane's mansion) is a breath-taking image and a worderfull work of cinematography.
On a diferent note, Welles was responsible for a mass histeria arround the 30's when he broadcasted H. G. Well's The War of the Worlds on radio. The story narration was so real, people believed the Earth was being invaded by Martians. Not bad for the guy who co-wrote, directed and starred in the greatest movie of all times.