Citizen Kane Laser Disc LaserDisc

I am a retired grandmother who has seen multitudes of old movies, especially black and white, which are my favorites, and who has been hearing about Citizen Kane for many years, but, because I do not particularly care for Orson Welles other than in Rebecca, I never watched it until now. I found it completely and utterly boring! After 10 minutes ... 20 minutes ... and then one hour, I kept wondering 'when does it get spectacular as raved by all'? It NEVER DID. The story jumped around, the dialogue was not profound, NOTHING in this movie is memorable other than how boring and what a hyped-up waste of time. I can usually find something about all old movies that teaches me, grabs me, or that I find depth in its dialogue to regard to my experiences in life, but not this movie. The character accomplished zero, there really was no story line or anything profound whatsoever. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and pass for another sixty-some years ...

This review is for the two disc set of Orson Welles 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane, which has endlessly (and rightfully) been called the greatest film ever made. Of course, I'm not going to go over the whole plot, which to film lovers is already gospel. This review is to concentrate on the technical and scholastic aspects of Kane, namely this two dvd set. And there are three very good reasons to get this particular copy of Kane.1. The film itself, which has rarely looked better. It's a very crisp print, in which details obscured in earlier versions are now wonderfully clear. The soundtrack by Bernard Herrmann has never sounded better. Maybe the most overlooked great film soundtrack ever. All the technical wizardry at play in this film, from the lighting to the camera angles to the special effects (which, when pointed out, are absolutely astounding) seem to be just so much more breathtaking in this version. It's certainly as good as the movie can possibly look.2. The audio commentary by the late, great Roger Ebert. (I'm guessing it was recorded in the late 90's/early 00's, before he lost the ability to speak.) Mr. Ebert stated on more than a few occasions that this was his favorite movie of all time. The commentary shows that at absolutely every turn. He's the perfect person to take you on a guided tour of the dark alleys, brightly-lit paths, strange regions and brilliant hidden corners that make this film so magnificent. I could never get tired of hearing him talk about how the deep focus camera work in Kane is so carefully and subtly handled. Or how the special effects are just as revolutionary as, say, Star Wars, without being noticed much, if at all. Or fascinating tidbits, such as how the actor who portrays the reporter, Thompson, is also the stentorian voice of the announcer in the opening News on the March segment. Most important of all, Mr. Ebert shows you how to appreciate this film, for all it's worth, like no one else can. Whether you end up loving the film and making it your cinematic lifeblood, or decide that it's too inflated, dark, slow paced, and maybe even overrated, is up to you. But you will understand why this film is considered perhaps the greatest film of all time.3. The bonus documentary on the 2nd dvd, The Battle Over Citizen Kane, which was originally aired on PBS back in 1996 as part of the series American Experience. This nearly two hour doc is about how Welles clashed with newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, the purported inspiration for Charles Foster Kane. How the film took Hearst's life, loves, and powerful ego and transformed them into the ultimate parable of business: you were happiest when you had nothing except what you loved most. How Hearst tried to suppress, and even destroy the film. How the career of Welles took off like Comet, and then burned out into wine commercials. How the film vanished from the public view for many years, only to reappear with the position in history it still holds today. This is one of the best documentaries ever made on movies, business, power, politics, Hollywood and celebrity. I'd say it's worth the price of admission, but when you get the greatest film ever to boot, well you can't go wrong. Also there are some other features of note, such as a second commentary by director Peter Bogdonovich. This one is interesting, but not as good as Mr. Ebert's. Since PB knew Welles and hung out with him a lot in later years, it's more of a bit chummy and anecdotal in nature. Plus there are also other extras such as the original trailer for the film, (don't pass it up, it's priceless) a photo gallery and a tiny bit of film of the world premiere. In all, it's the Kane 101 you will need in your film theory class (If you're into that sort of thing.) But with a movie as classic, timeless, groundbreaking, endlessly watchable and almost symphonic as this, you may never have to go to film school. -----------------PEACEBTW- Just for the record, my favorite bit of dialogue in Kane is: "You know Mr. Thatcher, at the rate of a million dollars a year, I'll have to close this place in..............sixty years!"

Reminds me of President Donald Trump in a way. Watching movie young is not the same as watching as an adult. Life experiences growing up makes a human understand another human life experience, especially when you get to the same age they experience whatever trials they went through. Story in this movie is excellent. Classic movies are long, but you can never wait to see how they end. This movie does not disappoint. Just get your snacks and watch with no distractions and even watch with caption on so you don't miss the excellent dialogue.

Pure genius. The hype is real. Believe it. Sadly unseated from the No. 1 spot it held for decades on the Sight and Sound poll, it is certainly one of the very greatest films of all time, and in this single work, George Orson Welles proclaimed and proved himself perhaps the single greatest filmmaker of all time, starring in, directing, co-writing, and producing the same film, and doing all so well, with such fresh talents, including not least of all his own. Has to be seen to be believed. If you're going to watch any movie, watch this one.

There are several standard DVD Special Editions, Collector's Editions, Special Collector Editions, though the major playoff appears to be between this Warners NTSC edition and a Universal PAL edition. The opinion expressed here does not consider the 3 disc collection on blu-ray.However...trust me, THIS Warners wins hands down! Enough down to put its competition underground! Make a comparison and you will never look at any other edition again without wincing! And the Warners includes 2 excellent commentaries worthy of repeated listenings. How often can THAT be said?(Note: the Universal is also accompanied by an excellent commentary, but the image is soft and shadow detail non-existent.)

I put this dvd on and waited and waited for some kind of story. it was utter rubbish. It went on like some news bulletin-pompous and making a mockery of viewers' intellect. People who made the film were probably fed up and full of themselves. no artistry at all ! what a waste of time and money. if it got better later, who cares. surely the first 20 minutes must matter.

This film is nearly as old as me, which means it's very old.Not a lot to say about it, but for years it was voted the best filmever made. In other words a classic

I got this because of all the great reviews on how this is the best film ever. However, the actual movie was not really my taste. DVD was in excellent condition.

It is definitely a dated film, though interesting. Don't think it deserves to be called the best film of the 20th century. Worth watching though.