Citizen Kane: Movie Review Broadcast
Transcript Citizen Kane premiered on Sept. 5, 1941, marking a bold Hollywood debut for its director and star, Orson Welles. This young filmmaker builds his reputation for innovation with his production that challenges the conventions of present-day storytelling. The film follows a reporter determined to uncover the meaning behind Charles Foster Kane’s final word, “Rosebud.” As he interviews those who knew the powerful newspaper tycoon, the picture of Kane’s character is gradually formed as each account adds more detail. The audience begins to see his life as one of ambition and fame, but also shrouded in mystery and isolation. And the poignant ending also sets the narrative apart and leaves a striking impression on the viewers. Welles’s insistence on an extreme level of his own creative autonomy shows in nearly every scene. The film employs a fractured structure an...