Citizen Kane (1941)

Mystery Drama
→ Influenced 13 films ← Inspired by 5 films

Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane is taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. As a result, every well-meaning, tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event.

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Connections

← Inspired By

Stagecoach
Stagecoach (1939)1
 The Power and the Glory
The Power and the Glory (1933)2
 Greed
Greed (1924)3
 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)4

→ Influenced

Amadeus
Amadeus (1984)5
 The Third Man
The Third Man (1949)6
 Mank
Mank (2020)7
 There Will Be Blood
There Will Be Blood (2007)8
 Lawrence of Arabia
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)9
 The Social Network
The Social Network (2010)10
 Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)11
 The Godfather Part II
The Godfather Part II (1974)12
 American Fiction
American Fiction (2023)13
 The Bridge on the River Kwai
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)14
 Fantastic Mr. Fox
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)15
 The Brutalist
The Brutalist (2024)16
 Rashomon
Rashomon (1950)17

Sources

Influenced By

  1. Stagecoach (1939)
    "Directed by John Ford, this Western was studied extensively by Welles. He reportedly watched it 40 times to learn about filmmaking techniques." Citizen Kane Wikipedia
  2. The Power and the Glory (1933)
    "This film, written by Preston Sturges, utilized a non-linear narrative structure that prefigured the storytelling approach of *Citizen Kane*." The Power and the Glory %281933 film%29 Wikipedia
  3. Greed (1924)
    "Directed by Erich von Stroheim, *Greed* employed deep-focus cinematography and complex character studies, elements that Welles incorporated into his own film." 10 Movies That Had The Biggest Influences on ‘Citizen Kane’ Taste of Cinema - Movie Reviews and Classic Movie Lists
  4. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
    "This German Expressionist film influenced Welles's use of lighting and set design to create mood and psychological depth." 10 Movies That Had The Biggest Influences on ‘Citizen Kane’ Taste of Cinema - Movie Reviews and Classic Movie Lists

Influenced

  1. Amadeus (1984)
    "Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane is taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. As a result, every well-meaning, tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event."
  2. The Third Man (1949)
    "Directed by Carol Reed, this British film noir employs atmospheric cinematography and a complex narrative structure reminiscent of "Citizen Kane." The film's use of shadows and deep focus mirrors the visual style pioneered by Welles." Thereviewgeek source
  3. Mank (2020)
    "Directed by David Fincher, "Mank" chronicles the life of Herman J. Mankiewicz, the screenwriter of "Citizen Kane." The film delves into the creation of Welles' masterpiece, offering insights into its development and the era's Hollywood politics." Mank Wikipedia
  4. There Will Be Blood (2007)
    "While not directly cited by Anderson, critics have noted thematic and stylistic parallels between "There Will Be Blood" and Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane," particularly in their exploration of ambition and the corrupting influence of wealth." Film Intuition: Review Database: Movie Review: There Will Be Blood (2007) Reviews
  5. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
    "The narrative structure of "Citizen Kane," which begins with the protagonist's death and unfolds through flashbacks, influenced the storytelling approach of "Lawrence of Arabia."" Legacy of Citizen Kane Wikipedia
  6. The Social Network (2010)
    "Fincher aimed to create "the Citizen Kane of John Hughes movies," blending the biographical depth of Orson Welles' masterpiece with the coming-of-age elements typical of Hughes' films." The Unlikely David Fincher Movie That Blended 'Citizen Kane' and John Hughes Thomas Butt Collider
  7. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
  8. The Godfather Part II (1974)
    "The theme of material ascent and spiritual descent in "Citizen Kane" mirrors Michael Corleone's trajectory in "The Godfather Part II."" Movie Connections IMDb
  9. American Fiction (2023)
    "Directed by Orson Welles, this film's innovative storytelling and character study have profoundly impacted American literature, inspiring authors to explore complex narratives and characterizations." Legacy of Citizen Kane Wikipedia
  10. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
    "Orson Welles' masterpiece explores themes of obsession and the consequences of one's actions, paralleling Colonel Nicholson's fixation on building the bridge in "The Bridge on the River Kwai."" Movie Connections IMDb
  11. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
    "The scene where Bean destroys his surroundings upon learning that the Foxes have taken everything mirrors a similar moment in "Citizen Kane."" Movie Connections IMDb
  12. The Brutalist (2024)
    "Orson Welles' masterpiece explores the complexities of ambition and the American Dream, themes central to "The Brutalist." The film's narrative structure and character study resonate with the journey of László Tóth." ‘The Brutalist’ and Its Subtle Critique of the American Dream - Hue Watched It Marc Rob Hue Watched It -
  13. Rashomon (1950)
    "Akira Kurosawa's film explores multiple perspectives of a single event, challenging the notion of objective truth. Its innovative narrative structure, presenting conflicting accounts, is often compared to the storytelling techniques used in "Citizen Kane."" Thereviewgeek source