why is Citizen Kane considered the greatest film of all time?

[gbpxl]

It's unanimous. It was Roger Ebert's favorite movie. It's placed at #1 consistently, on most film critics' lists.

Granted, it's been years since I have seen it. But I don't remember it being anything special. I can think of at least a dozen films that are better than Kane, even from a technological standpoint rather than just in terms of entertainment... Barry Lyndon, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shawshank Redemption, Lawrence of Arabia, Ben-Hur, The Bridge on the River Kwai, just to name a few.

I'm probably asking this question in the wrong forum, LOL, but maybe a film junkie here can explain this.

[Fokakis79]

It was groundbreaking for its time, because of the cinematography, and the method of which it tell its story. When compared to modern movies, it might seem cliche or dated. So you got to watch it from a filmmakers point of view. When I was in film school we had to watch and study Citizen Kane for its elements of movie making. I think that is why alot of people who don't have film or movie making background don't understand why it is so important.  I think it is a good movie, not my #1 but pretty good.

I must say though 2001 A Space Odyssey is much better as well as Laurence of Arabia.

[Nathan Dunsmore]

I think a lot of people say it because it's an easy answer, like how people are quick to say E.T is the worst video game or Plan 9 From Outer Space is the worst film.

I forget which poll it was, but I thought I read somewhere that Vertigo dethroned Citizen Kane as the greatest film of all time?

Though they came out later, my favorite "oldies" are North by Northwest, Once Upon a Time in the West, The Swimmer and The Sting.

[bombatomba]

I once had a film student friend explain this to me, but Fokakis beat me to it.  If you You almost have to go on a little film watching walkabout to really get it.  The way films are structured now?  Because of Citizen Kane.  If you go back and watch movies made before Citizen Kane (prior to 1941) you should be able to see the difference pretty easily.

[Tynstar]

It was groundbreaking for its time, because of the cinematography, and the method of which it tell its story. When compared to modern movies, it might seem cliche or dated. So you got to watch it from a filmmakers point of view. When I was in film school we had to watch and study Citizen Kane for its elements of movie making. I think that is why alot of people who don't have film or movie making background don't understand why it is so important.

This

 2001: A Space Odyssey is a terrible movie. One of the very few movies I fell asleep during.

[slackur]

I understand (I think) the background, history, troubled production, and inventive technical skill that places it as a highly regarded classic.

Personally, and all that aside, I just thought it was a great movie.

[Haoie]

Casablanca gets called that a lot too.

[FatherJack]

Hopefully in 50 years time 'Beerfest' will get classic status.

[singlebanana]

I once had a film student friend explain this to me, but Fokakis beat me to it.  If you You almost have to go on a little film watching walkabout to really get it.  The way films are structured now?  Because of Citizen Kane.  If you go back and watch movies made before Citizen Kane (prior to 1941) you should be able to see the difference pretty easily.

Yep. I took a film studies class in college and this is correct in terms of why the movie is considered the "best" of all time. It's not that the plot is superb, it's good, but not wowing, but what keeps it up there is its influence on modern cinema. Many of the camera techniques used, especially the deep focus, panning, and tracking shots are incredible and weren't used prior to it. These techniques completely changed the way we watched and made film. It's a pretty sad film and the revelation at the end is powerful and poignant. It's not my "favorite" film by far, but I understand why and how it retains its rating. "Best" isn't always defined by plot.

[Fokakis79]

@singlebanana, very true about best not defined by plot. That is why I like 2001: Space Odyssey. I like the mood, setting, and feel of the movie. All the elements that go into making a movie are all important