The film, Citizen Kane, was released during 1941. Directed by the legendary Orson Welles, who also stars in it, the film is portrayed as an American drama. Today still, the film industry considers 'CK' to be one of the best films ever made. It is especially noted for innovative cinematography, its music and the narration technique.
Before CK was made, Welles was enjoying personal success after his stint with the Mercury Players. His contentious radio show called War of the Worlds caught Hollywood attention in 1938. One year later, RKO Pictures signed Welles on contract.
Even though he was an 'untested' film director, Welles was given complete freedom to write a screenplay, pick the cast and crew, and he was also allowed 'final cut' privilege. His first two attempts were disasters. Then, just in the nick of time, Welles and Mankiewicz collaborated and produced the screenplay for Citizen Kane.
Shooting took place in 1940, and RKO released it in 1941. It received no less than 9 nominations in the ensuing Academy Awards. To the delight of Orson Welles and Mankiewicz, CK received the award for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).
The movie is a roman a clef. This means that it describes real people and real life behind the disguise of fiction. CK scrutinizes the life of Charles Kane based on publishing magnate, William Randolph Hearst. It also studies the life of Welles himself.
Kane started a career in the publishing industry because of his journalistic enthusiasm. However, as the years went by, his enthusiasm turned into an unrelenting search for power. CK is narrated with the clever use of flashbacks. The story is uncovered by a reporter who is trying to unravel the mystery of Kane's one and only dying word - 'Rosebud'.
Even though the film was a critical success, it did not recoup costs at the box office. It faded into insignificance until French film critics raved about it some years later. This did much to restore CK's reputation and it enjoyed a sensational American revival in 1956. Again, there was consensus amongst film critics that it was indeed the greatest film of all time. For almost half a century, Citizen Kane stayed on the major film polls.
Film scholars and historians alike considered the cinematography to be innovative. They were especially impressed by the extended utilization of deep focus. In virtually every scene of the film, the background, foreground and the sections in between, are in focus. This is attributed to many experiments with lighting and lenses done by cinematographer, Gregg Toland.
Another unusual element in the film was the manner in which low angle shots were utilized. This enabled ceilings to be visible in the background of many scenes. Because films were shot on sound stages at the time, it was not possible to show ceilings simply because sound stages had no ceilings.
The crew of Citizen Kane achieved this by draping muslin on the top of the set to create the effect of a room with a ceiling. The microphones were hidden on top of the muslin. Trenches were dug in the floor so that low angle shots could be used in the scene where Kane and Leland meet when after the elections. The role of Kane was played by Welles. - 40727
Before CK was made, Welles was enjoying personal success after his stint with the Mercury Players. His contentious radio show called War of the Worlds caught Hollywood attention in 1938. One year later, RKO Pictures signed Welles on contract.
Even though he was an 'untested' film director, Welles was given complete freedom to write a screenplay, pick the cast and crew, and he was also allowed 'final cut' privilege. His first two attempts were disasters. Then, just in the nick of time, Welles and Mankiewicz collaborated and produced the screenplay for Citizen Kane.
Shooting took place in 1940, and RKO released it in 1941. It received no less than 9 nominations in the ensuing Academy Awards. To the delight of Orson Welles and Mankiewicz, CK received the award for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).
The movie is a roman a clef. This means that it describes real people and real life behind the disguise of fiction. CK scrutinizes the life of Charles Kane based on publishing magnate, William Randolph Hearst. It also studies the life of Welles himself.
Kane started a career in the publishing industry because of his journalistic enthusiasm. However, as the years went by, his enthusiasm turned into an unrelenting search for power. CK is narrated with the clever use of flashbacks. The story is uncovered by a reporter who is trying to unravel the mystery of Kane's one and only dying word - 'Rosebud'.
Even though the film was a critical success, it did not recoup costs at the box office. It faded into insignificance until French film critics raved about it some years later. This did much to restore CK's reputation and it enjoyed a sensational American revival in 1956. Again, there was consensus amongst film critics that it was indeed the greatest film of all time. For almost half a century, Citizen Kane stayed on the major film polls.
Film scholars and historians alike considered the cinematography to be innovative. They were especially impressed by the extended utilization of deep focus. In virtually every scene of the film, the background, foreground and the sections in between, are in focus. This is attributed to many experiments with lighting and lenses done by cinematographer, Gregg Toland.
Another unusual element in the film was the manner in which low angle shots were utilized. This enabled ceilings to be visible in the background of many scenes. Because films were shot on sound stages at the time, it was not possible to show ceilings simply because sound stages had no ceilings.
The crew of Citizen Kane achieved this by draping muslin on the top of the set to create the effect of a room with a ceiling. The microphones were hidden on top of the muslin. Trenches were dug in the floor so that low angle shots could be used in the scene where Kane and Leland meet when after the elections. The role of Kane was played by Welles. - 40727
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