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Orson Wells as Charles Kane (Image: undefined)
It’s rare for a lead actor to simultaneously co-write, direct and produce a film.
However, that was precisely what happened with Citizen Kane – the American drama crafted by legendary filmmaker Orson Welles.
Remarkably, it marked the theatre enthusiast’s debut feature film and its protagonist draws inspiration from several US media magnates.
Whilst it garnered extensive critical praise upon its 1941 release, it struggled at the box office due to a campaign orchestrated by one of the moguls who inspired it.
Today it is regarded as a groundbreaking masterpiece and has dominated numerous best film rankings through the decades, with admirers hailing it as “fascinating”, “unique” and “unmissable”.
Orson Wells as Charles Kane (Image: Getty Images)
If you’ve yet to experience Citizen Kane, here’s your opportunity as it’s presently available on BBC iPlayer, reports the Mirror.
The narrative opens when affluent newspaper proprietor Charles Foster Kane (Welles) is shown on his deathbed within his vast Florida estate, Xanadu.
Clutching a snowglobe, he whispers his final word, “Rosebud” before passing away. With his death generating global headlines, journalist Jerry Thompson is assigned to unravel the significance of his dying utterance.
As the reporter interviews various acquaintances of Kane, he reveals a story of rags to riches as the accomplished businessman ascended to prominence.
Yet his life is equally marked by corruption, manipulation and isolation. Presented through multiple viewpoints in a sequence of flashbacks, the film proved revolutionary for its cinematography, audio, and non-linear narrative structure.
Orson Wells as Charles Kane (Image: undefined)
Welles had been granted unprecedented authority over the screenplay, casting and final edit of the production, which was extraordinary for that era.
The majority of reviewers praised his groundbreaking debut feature film, particularly given he’d previously only been recognised for his theatrical work.
Yet it struggled to achieve commercial success upon its initial release, primarily because one of the tycoons it portrayed was incensed by what he considered a slanderous assault on his reputation.
William Randolph Hearst was a politician and publisher who built America’s largest newspaper empire and media corporation, Hearst Communications.
He was amongst the trailblazers of sensationalist, human interest reporting which laid the groundwork for tabloid journalism.
Hearst wielded his empire to prohibit any reference to the film in publications and intimidated cinemas screening it with threats of litigation.
Nevertheless, the film was re-released in the late 1950s and has subsequently been declared the greatest film in countless surveys, including those conducted by the British Film Institute and the American Film Institute.
It is safeguarded in the US National Film Registry for its cultural and historical importance and received nine Academy Award nominations, securing Best Writing. It appears the film possesses an enduring charm with admirers continuing to celebrate it even now.
Orson Wells as Charles Kane (Image: undefined)
On Rotten Tomatoes where it achieves an almost flawless 99% score, one viewer commented: “Citizen Kane is definitely one of the greatest movies of all time. It is a film that must be watched multiple times so you can pick up on the subtle symbolisms that go unnoticed.
“The film never had a boring moment, simply because of how visually appealing it was. The plot is fantastic and will keep you hooked, overall amazing movie!”.
Another added: “Utterly unmissable,” whilst a third praised it as an enduring masterpiece: “It remains as witty, tragic, unlikely, unique and fascinating as ever.”
Citizen Kane is streaming on BBC iPlayer now.
