Citizen Kane (1941) - trailer

Rightly regarded as a groundbreaking masterpiece, Orson Welles debut remains a monumental achievement, its imaginative scope amply repaying countless viewings.

Seldom seen on the big screen in recent years, Welles witty, gripping film famously views the controversial life of the late Charles Foster Kane (Welles) a media tycoon partly inspired by William Randolph Hearst from the sometimes contradictory perspectives of his friends, employees and mistress. Its an extraordinary work, not just technically (Gregg Tolands cinematography, Bernard Herrmanns score, the editing, design and quietly bravura direction are all superb); but in its dramatic sophistication and thematic richness. An affecting meditation on memory, self-knowledge, solitude and mortality; a wry reflection on fame, fortune and the spirit of America; an exhilarating exploration of the artistic possibilities of the film medium Citizen Kane is all this and so very much more.

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• Orson Welles
• Joseph Cotten
• Dorthy Comingore
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• Edinburgh Filmhouse
• October releases
• BFI Southbank
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• best film
• greatest film
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• greatest film ever
• megalomania
• citizen kane
• citizen kane trailer
• masterpiece

[BritishFilmInstitute]

Is Citizen Kane the best film of all times?

[RebelVoDKa]

If anyone answers that question, how can you tell if they're right or wrong?

[BritishFilmInstitute]

There is no right or wrong but it will be interesting to see what you all think.

[latham29]

Can't the BFI do better than this tedious old chestnut of a question that's been asked many times before? Glad yr releasing the film again, though.

[RebelVoDKa]

For me, Lindsay Anderson's "If...." is the best film ever made, so my answer would be no.

But Orson Welles was a great character and a great film-maker and this was probably the best director's debut in film history.