The Cinema at Gloucester Guildhall: PREVIEW

One of the greatest films ever made Citizen Kane returns to the big screen in May for a limited time only.

Citizen Kane pioneered by the great Writer, Director Orson Welles at the tender age of 25 has earned no only Welles but his film 'classic' status amongst filmmakers and cinemagoers alike.

Upon it's released in 1941 the film was a box - office flop quickly being withdrawn from release however, Welles picked up an Oscar for Best Writer, whilst also being nominated for Best Actor and Best Director.
It wasn't until it's re - release in the mid 1950's that Citizen Kane was recognised for it's brilliance and setting a whole new cinematic vocabulary for cinema, whilst setting the benchmark for film production.

The cast of the film were relatively unknown at the time however, due to the success and status of the film has put the likes of Joseph Cotten and Agnes Moorehead to name a small selection of the outstanding cast.
The real surprise is knowing that Orson Wells added another role of actor to his credits on the film, playing the role of Kane, making this very much Welles's very own masterpiece.

Welles was of course aided by two names in particular that brought his masterpiece to life. Cinematographer Gregg Toland brought his very own style to the film seen by many as ground breaking for it's time. Toland's use of deep focus photography and unchartered camera angles making the film stand out as an art piece as well as a film.
Bernard Herrman composed the music for the film and has since go on to compose the music for Hitchcock's Psycho, Taxi Driver and Kill Bill Vol 1 (after his death).

For those who don't know the story behind the great film, many people over the years have suggested the film is a biopic of one of the greatest newspaper barons of all time William Randolf Hearst however, this was heavily denied by Welles who states his film is based upon a composite of characters from that era of America.

The film starts with the death of Kane in a crumbling and ornate Xanadu mansion.
The film centres around the final words of Kane 'Rosebud'. What follows is snippets and flashbacks through Kane's life from the people who knew him the most as we see a young boy who turns into one of the most powerful businessman of the time as he builds a media empire whilst dabbling in politics and women has his power eventually starts to alienate him from all those around that know him.

An iconic/classic film for all those who have seen it, it's one of those films everyone should see once and then again to really appreciate it's importance.

*Orson Welles' directorial debut's topicality and energy remain undiminished*

Kevin Harley

*Citizen Kane remains a gloriously entertaining classic*

Empire Film Magazine

Here is the original theatrical trailer for you all, to remind you of what the film has to offer;