A Summary and Review of Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane is the landmark 1941 film written, directed, produced, and starring Orson Welles for
RKO Pictures. It is a partly biographical film mixing real life stories from Welles, William
Randolph Hearst, and other figures of the time in a fictional context. The story regards Charles
Foster Kane, a man who wants and gets everything in life, except the love and happiness he had as a
child. This is represented in the film in the form of his sled ”Rosebud”.

 Welles, who was hot off a long running streak in both radio and theater at only the age of 25, won
for Best Writing (Original Screenplay) at The 14th Annual Academy Awards. Yet the film’s editor,
Robert Wise, recalled the film was booed that night every time it was announced as a nominee for an
award. It should also be noted many in Hollywood did not even want the film to be made at all
because of William Randolph Hearst’s influence in the media at the time and many were afraid of him.

 There are no plans to remake Citizen Kane, since many feel it should not be remade at all as it is
considered an accurate statement regarding the trappings and failures of The American Dream, in
spite of it being film from the 1940’s. Even though a modern day film regarding a media mogul’s life
in the era of cable television and The Internet would be interesting, it could never recapture of
the feel, style, or innovation of Citizen Kane. One can hope modern day Hollywood does not taint this classic film.