Citizen Kane: Crash Course Film Criticism #1

[@Tselel]

"I don't know many people." "I know too many people... I guess we're both lonely." Man, this movie holds up.

[@locksh]

This is the quote that stuck with me.

[@zacmalm3048]

I've heard it described that while Citizen Kane might not be the "greatest movie ever made," it's the *first* greatest movie ever made.

[@hackman-hackman]

Wizard Of Oz and Gone With the Wind came before CK. So...

[@Stonehengoo]

La règle du jeu doesn't agree.

[@tyleryoung2358]

@@hackman-hackman The Godfather, The Dark Knight, Psycho, Shawshank Redemption, and Spider Man. Let's Not forget the MCU. And Star Wars and Harry Potter andnTerminator and Lion King and Lord Of The Rings and Avatar and many more

[@storrho]

Tyler Young You know nothing, Mr. Young.

[@tyleryoung2358]

@@storrho I know a lot. Future Filmmaker right here. I know Wizard Of Oz and Gone With The Wind came before, I'm just listing down all the other greatest movies ever created

[@e.than.b]

And nobody can forget that evil parakeet. That thing terrified me.

[@dildonius]

Lol. Welles admitted that it was literally only put in there to wake the audience up, in case anyone was starting to lose focus after having been watching the film for so long by that point.

[@SubhansVault]

orson welles was 25 when he made Citizen Kane - The greatest movie ever made . Here I am 25 sitting , having breakfast watching this crash course

[@leeleeisgay]

Rosebud was the 1st skateboard that Kane learned to kickflip on.

[@steakjones]

I recently studied this film for Arts & Literature and what really struck me about it is the mystery of it all. In the very beginning, when the camera is panning up along the fence, the chain link is in focus and the background is blurry, giving the viewer hints that Kane's life story is going to be a bit fuzzy and that his true self is going to be concealed in some way. Then, the story of his life is told through others, each having their own biases and perspectives on both life and Kane himself. Therefore, we cannot fully trust what they say about him, especially considering how most of them had some kind of falling-out with Kane. I thought it was fascinating how the film took (or, perhaps, helped to form) the concept of the unreliable narrator and translated it into four (five, if you count the butler's brief contribution) unreliable narrators. Because we never see Kane's life through an unbiased narrator or even Kane himself, we as viewers cannot completely discern what is fact and what is exaggeration. Therefore, Kane's real life remains something of a mystery.

[@alonealien1474]

"That's all he ever wanted out of life was love. That's the tragedy of Charles Foster Kane. You see, he just didn't have any to give." Maybe not the greatest movie ever, but one of the best.

[@regriefing1807]

Alone Alien it is the greatest :) and it deserves its praise

[@name-tn2or]

Codcas 2 hahahaha

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

The late 1930s and early 1940s sure saw a lot of epic films get released... The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, Citizen Kane, Gone With the Wind, The Grapes of Wrath, Babes in Arms, The Philadelphia Story, Mutiny on the Bounty, Stagecoach, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Double Indemnity... Definitely a 'golden age.'

[@dogofgraam]

Nerdwriter, ScreenPrism, Lessons from the screenplay, Every Frame a Painting--- and now CrashCourse. If it's one thing, youtube has no scarcity of good film analysis material. so blessed!

[@dogofgraam]

thanks for the recoms

[@varana]

And Kyle Kallgren.

[@Moscato_Moscato]

Kyle Kallgren, movies With Mikey, Lindsay Ellis, StrucciMovies, Film IQ, Dan Olson/Folding Ideas And HBomberyguy are all great film analyst too!!

[@ZeroSerenity]

Really that Good by Moviebob is also excellent.

[@georgemills-burrows7052]

all these recs and no redlettermedia? that's the most disappointing thing since space cop

[@timothymclean]

I hope that, somewhere along the way, we connect concepts from Crash Course Literature (e.g, the importance of themes) to this series. It took me a while to realize how concepts from literature class applied to anything but literature class, but once I did, I could better appreciate both literature class and the pop culture I consumed. It would be great if Crash Course could help others do the same.

[@chiblast100x]

That was one of the things I truly loved about my sophomore year English teacher back when I was in high school. Part of the way she taught the class included us watching film adaptations of the major project works we covered then writing essays applying literary analysis to both versions comparing and contrasting them.

[@joshuapeterson9691]

If you want to see music dissected with a literature class approach, I highly recommend both seasons of Dissect, the podcast.

[@darkrai6543]

This is why I look forward to their new Media Literacy course - it feels like a natural progression from their literature and film courses, and just might fulfill that desire.

[@pyrotheevilplatypus]

Crash Course: Art of Storytelling?

[@scasey1960]

There is hope for you yet.

[@Carlos-ln8fd]

That was great! I always like the part where Kane is talking about the journalists he wants and then they all appear working for him through a visual effect.

[@Lina-hi5ji]

Carlos I noticed it too! Pretty cool :)

[@rmota103]

That childhood scene is really good and the most memorable for me. As they move away from him, we are literally leaving his childhood behind and that’s where it stayed out in the cold. Movie filled with metaphors. Thanks for the vid!

[@MattMinecraft4]

The idea of the sled is so great because symbolically, it's obviously a link to his old childhood memories, his only real happy memories until he was taken from his home and pushed into a world of business, money, and power. The sled in and of itself, I think, functions great as the literal "Rosebud." If Rosebud were a person, or a place, or even a specific day, it would be too sappy and probably too predictable. The sled is so great because we see a great shot of it after Kane is taken from his home, and the snow builds up on, signaling the passage of time, the burying of his childhood, and of course intimate screen time with the actual sled. It's unpredictable, yet when we get the twist, it clicks immediately. It also shows how little things really do impress upon our subconscious. Bernstein gives the little speech to Thompson about the woman he saw on the ferry for a second. She never noticed him, yet a month never went by when he didn't think of her. The sled is sort of the same way.

[@czr1238]

Great movie to start with

[@JoseAngelC]

Citizen Kane is "The Room" of good movies

[@dougc3512]

Great comment!!!!

[@TheRachaelLefler]

Profound...

[@tombennett3827]

"How to Stuff a Wild Bikini" is as well.

[@ryanbenson4610]

Best quote ever.

[@mindseyemelodies]

So good its bad?

[@Antipodeano]

Rosebud was the last time he was truly innocent and happy. The best part of his life.

[@rdanielr93]

I love Citizen Kane, but my favourite film from the 40s is Casablanca. Masterpiece.

[@carolinagoldgirl8706]

That’s a good one! Mine is Gone with the Wind!!!

[@Leg0456]

Carolina GoldGirl Gone with the Wind is from 1939.

[@RellenongPusit]

I hope CC Film Criticism would feature non-western films as well, like Japanese and Filipino films. I would love to see an in-depth discussion and analysis in Kurosawa's films or Filipino indie films.

[@RADLadio]

In the mood for love in the list

[@岩の下駅]

Cj Laylo What Filipino films are you thinking of?

[@Tselel]

Oooh. I second this. Let's get some Kurosawa.

[@RellenongPusit]

@Makishi this is the list of movies I have in mind: Batch 81, Kakaba-kaba, Oro Plata Mata, Sa Kuko ng Liwanag, films of FPJ (for cultural analysis). There are so many Filipino films--mostly non-mainstream--that deserve so much global exposure.

[@KatrinaEames]

All of the films they are featuring are in a list in the description, but I'm pretty sure they are all western films. I agree with you though - it'd be great to look at a broader range of films.

[@iasimov5960]

You never know the name or see the face of the man researching the meaning of "Rosebud."

[@dildonius]

Because hes us.

[@erikmoreno484]

I just saw it for the first time and it it’s definitely memorable. Somehow the cinematography showed more the dramatic impact than the dialogue.

[@MagickFlavour]

Love the series! (I'm really looking forward to the episode on 2001: a space odyssey!)

[@christianpaystrup4427]

Uncle Squiddz same!

[@steph_lopez]

That movie was the most confusing movie ever hahaha

[@Kacs_ky]

Cinemasins really has turned around

[@fossilfighters101]

Hahahahahaha ++

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

Plus without Citizen Kane, you wont get half the jokes in the Mr Burns and his teddy bear Bobo episode of the Simpsons!

[@pronounsinmybio]

I honestly cannot describe how happy I am about this series. Thanks, Crash Course team. You are one of the best things on the internet.

[@electricmastro]

As great as this movie is, I feel that it overshadows the rest of Welles' movies. Of note for me: The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) The Lady from Shanghai (1947) Confidential Report (1955) Touch of Evil (1958) Chimes at Midnight (1965)

[@Vesnicie]

Citizen Kane was the first DVD I ever bought after switching over from VHS. It coincided perfectly with an unforgettable film studies class in which my eyes were opened to so many things. Thank you, Professor Shetley.

[@TheNinetySecond]

This guy is really great, and the idea of diving into film critique is an enticing one. For the first time ever, I'm actually genuinely interested in seeing Citizen Kane.

[@scottsiegal6125]

I hope they do an episode on The Room

[@gennybaratta2460]

yes. so much

[@Passions5555]

Or birdemic

[@tombennett3827]

I hope they do one on "The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini"

[@raginghorse1895]

Before you mentioned about Rosebud you should have given warning like Spoiler Alert and then should've said what it was. It breaks curiosity when you explain like that.

[@raginghorse1895]

@Mariana Frusciante There are people who haven't watched it but only heard of its name.

[@CrimsonFox36]

I like to believe the film is about the story of a mogul who realizes too late that he's lost sight of what is truly important.

[@jessegarrett7215]

Fight Club is the greatest movie ever and as 20 something in the early 00’s working as a corporate drone, it really spoke too me

[@bcnicholas123]

On an unrelated note, I got an ad for Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers on this video which I very much appreciated

[@coolc6379]

This October, David Fincher's "Mank", which stars Gary Oldman as "Citizen Kane" co-writer Herman J. Mankiewicz, hits Netflix. Poised to win Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars. Can't wait.

[@Mallen151]

I don’t agree with people who say that Citizen Kane’s story is its weakest aspect. It’s essentially The Social Network set in the 40’s.

[@eacy7deacy]

I think that people often overlook how entertaining this movie is, a masterpiece.

[@thystldown]

My favorite story about Citizen Kane happened when one of my favorite podcasters was dating Lydia Hearst, who has that last name for exactly the reason you’d think. One day she turned to him and said, quite casually, “Hey, you know that movie they made about my great-grandpa?” This left the podcaster a little rattled, as you might expect. It’s like... They Know.

[@KRT61]

One of the ways something or someone is considered great. Babe Ruth hit more homer us in 1921 than any other team in professional baseball. Not only was he better than anyone at the time, he was more than twice as good as the next person in his field. CITIZEN KANE shares those aspects. It was the first film where the director had complete control of a major film, he even controlled the thinking of it’s star. The camerawork, the story’s form, the visual metaphors were decades ahead of it’s time. It made the director more important than anyone else in the film.

[@Ohana9999]

Good lord your voice is so soothing?? Thank you so much for making this!!

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Citizen Kane is absolute perfection. It's sad when people can't appreciate it.

[@FelixCattus]

That's all objective though and it's sad when people can't see it.

[@noerd421427]

While this may not mean much to mr. Michael Aranda, he does have a lovely, smooth-as-butter tone of voice and way of speaking, reminiscent of the infamous Danish Game, Movie, and Nerd Culture guide/reviewer, Jacob Stegelmann. More with him, please!

[@Domdrok]

I saw this movie in college and then watched a documentary on the film. It made me appreciate the film so much more.

[@nicholasdalli6303]

Now that's an entrance the greatest film ever discussed. A great lead on to underlining the presence of themes, characterisation, camera techniques and the abject superficiality and subjectivity of "best film". Also nice to see Aranda out of SciSchow

[@SpoonQueen]

Thumbs up: Micheal's haircut/style.

[@SpoonQueen]

Amber Harrison, Micheal has had the same style for a while now.(SciShow fan) that's part of his older style. Which was nice, but I like the change too. And maybe he just hasn't decided to bleach more or clover up the old. I still think his new style is refreshing. Even if you feel it's unfinished.

[@issadad]

A rare unhurried exhalation greets brave new host Michael Aranada, who brings at least (and at last) a passing acquaintance with *the pause* (all but disacknowledged on this breakneck but otherwise beloved Channel), inviting rumors of a KZbin comeback for speech that can be heard and comprehended in real time. As he spoke I understood every word Aranada said, a startling Crash Course innovation that really gives one...

[@HomoSeal]

I saw Citizen Kane when I was 18 and didn't really get it at the time. This has helped a lot with understanding why it was so influential.

[@Alverant]

You left out Well's biggest role: Unicron - the planet-sized Transformer.

[@scarletpoon529]

Would it be possible for you to discuss Vertigo on your channel? It would definitely be the greatest gem and it would be super helpful too!

[@SheperdsLittleHelper]

Griffith, Eisenstein, Stroheim, Murnau, Gance and Sternberg created all of the film-making 'innovations', and to a superior effect. Kane is good as an assemblage of techniques, but even then, a film like Intolerance utilised many of the same techniques decades prior and is infinitely more sophisticated.

[@brucetsai7732]

I'm not an expert of films, and I haven't watch many films, that's why I am here to learn. I have a question, generally speaking, do you think black and white films are better than the films people make now? I suppose many people think so, but many people disagree, kinda subjective. if so, is the 1940s the peak of the film industry? think there are many profession fans here, so, thank you!

[@zenlocke]

does this mean we get a 2001 a space odyssey episode please please please there is 2001 and there are all other movies no other film has induced religious awakenings in people

[@Kacs_ky]

look in the description, last film they're gonna do

[@crashcourse]

Yep! It's our final episode! :) - Nick J.

[@zenlocke]

fan-freaking-tastic

[@RADLadio]

Religious awakenings? What?

[@HaitaniMasayuki]

Did I hear the "Inception-BWAAAHH" at the end of the intro? (or at least a reference to it)

[@Mattteus]

Favourite film... that's a *tough* question. First movie that comes to mind is Lost Skeleton of Cadavra. The subtlety of the performances and jokes in this send-up of '50s B movies is on point!

[@StarsAndEmbers]

I studied Citizen Kane in one of my Film Studies university courses and hated it. But I feel like I've learnt more from just this one video and I'm actually interested in things I didn't know before, like the table splitting in half to let the camera through.

[@SethMacMillan]

Another similar illusion would be from the "Lord of the Rings" film. It's a bit difficult to explain, but a scene to establish Gandalf's height required a custom table that would give a forced perspective of an extremely tall person at one end and an incredibly short person at the other.

[@nicobruin8618]

Aliens? You're not going to discuss the first one?

[@radagastwiz]

The second one's a greater cinematic achievement, I think.

[@jymbo1969]

It's likely that it will be about good sequels, and whether they are ever better than the first movie... and Aliens is one of three movies that could be used as examples. Godfather 2, and The Empire Strikes Back being the other two.

[@kurtlindner]

jymbo -or Gremlins 2.

[@richardsantanna5398]

That lame

[@sheldonscott4037]

radagastwiz If it's the director's cut I would agree.

[@yaddar]

Citizen Kane is the Citizen Kane of Citizen Kane movies.

[@tommydebo5]

The things he does with framing and shots is just beautiful.

[@briankeith8916]

this is 2020 and Citizen Cane is in the White House .

[@DuluthTW]

Blazing Saddles. Excuse me while I whip this out!

[@willseth8180]

It's true, it's true.

[@James_Wisniewski]

My favorite movie? Gotta be No Country for Old Men. Followed closely by the best Star Wars film, The Empire Strikes Back.

[@svenstajduhar3449]

Nice movie to start with. Love yo vids! Also, would you please make more of World History and Philosophy?

[@zoeestes4420]

This gives me a perfect excuss to watch all these movies that I've been wanting to see

[@SkywalkerAni]

I gotta watch Citizen Kane. I know the basic plot, but it's one thing just knowing the plot and another seeing it. (And if you're wondering, my personal favorite movie is the original Back to the Future)

[@RADLadio]

In the mood for love

[@lifesacardgame6454]

I was deeply unimpressed with Citizen Kane when I finally got around to watching it but this commentary makes me want to watch it again.

[@dsourcherry]

I love you Aranda, nice to see you doing these types of longer crash course vids,

[@dsourcherry]

Also Citizen Kane isn’t too bad either

[@DecodeChannel]

Truly one of the greatest films ever.

[@DeathlyTired]

True, although, hot take: it's not even Welles' best film as director.

[@muhilan8540]

Citizen Kane sucks

[@crashcourse]

What do you consider his best film? Touch of Evil? - Nick J.

[@DeathlyTired]

Nick J.: Touch of Evil is very good, but no. In my opinion, it's 'The Magnificent Ambersons'. Almost forgotten in Kane's shadow, it polishes to perfection all the skills, techniques and film making tours-de-forces that are on display in Kane. A poem of a film.

[@FODENSZN]

Muhilan Selvaa dum dum go watch the notebook

[@abigailcampbell7850]

So very excited for this part of the series!! And that Michael is the host

[@FinalSentinel]

THE CAMERA WENT THROUGH THE F'ING GLASS

[@Jorgejhms]

"make you realize profound things about life, the universe, and everything" #42

[@milfsfilms]

i felt triumphant when i cracked it in first viewing (that rosebud is the sled)

[@PeterPanInMontclair]

got to love the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy reference

[@davidgray2805]

It's groundbreaking in cinematography

[@In_TheMoonlight]

omg you’re going to do the eagle huntress!? that’s one of my favorite movies ever! so excited!!

[@Strawberry92fs]

When you asked what my favourite movie was at the beginning, Aliens was my answer XD I can't wait for that.

[@jeralyncabaluna5819]

Who haven't watched this movie yet?

[@kaiplue]

You'd be surprised how many people haven't.

[@mariacabello1238]

I want but i don't know where, any link?

[@juffan]

Citizen Kane is the Citizen Kane of movies

[@russellstauffer2994]

I can't wait to hear your take on "Casablanca"!

[@pancreasnostalgia]

My favorite film is another one done by James Cameron- Titanic. Honestly I’m not very interested in any of the films on this list, except maybe Apocalypse Now. Glad to see Michael with his own Crash Course gig!

[@katlawton1572]

Crash Course + Michael Aranda + film crit = my ideal video. 😍😍

[@cmegan06]

Oh my god they're doing in the mood for love. I'm so happy. Wong kar wai is a genius.

[@LTdrumma]

Michael for the last third of film, AWESOME

[@troylindley2216]

I have skipped over watching this movie many times over the years. I'm not sure why, since I have watched many classic films and old movies. After seeing this review I am definitely putting it on the watchlist now. It looks like I have been missing out on a great film all this time. Thanks for igniting my interest.

[@bsku0765]

I don't know why too many people focus about its techniques though. Yes, it had a great effect in movie history, you can truly learn what life is

[@9786oof]

I'm so glad that Michael and hank are good friends

[@Nyan_Kitty]

Hi, Michael =D Nice to see you here! ^.^

[@vaibhavtripathi4951]

So, In short it's time to check it. Do you know when it released.

[@ofthefuture3996]

Love your background sets!

[@michelgabe1629]

my favourite movie is pans labyrinth, because it basiacly shows us how we can behave, when we are forced(espiacially as a kid) to conform to the system.( also its the best open ending ever)

[@julioramirez8069]

9:04 "life, universe and everything..." Anybody else noticed that.

[@defeat22]

42

[@HermanFalckHow]

Film criticism isn't meant to be what it sounds like. It is not nitpicking specific details to find and objective "Score". It is meant to be a more professional look into an art form that is consumed by many but understood by few. And of course give interpertations of the films themes, both intended and unintended.

[@Ravenq222]

Great lineup for something like this!

[@PariahEarth]

Yes! I can’t wait for Aliens! One of my all time favorites if not just for the visuals. Glad to see what you guys have coming with this series. DFTBA you glorious people

[@LelouchVelvet]

WOW! I'm glad I found this video and this movie because of it. What an interesting film, considering when it was made! Good job CrashCourse, this series should be amazing!

[@aastors18]

Never gets old

[@nateweinand4209]

Great first episode! I love Citizen Kane! The only other movie I've seen on this list is Selma, and there's some I haven't even heard of, so this will be interesting!

[@dkmbstudio]

i noticed that his hair changed at the end of this video, im so special

[@code4chaosmobile]

Impressive. This movie is a touchstone for so many things.

[@jiangzishan]

can't wait to see the review on "lost in translation"

[@CRAZYDESIGNERYLR]

Should I watch this episode before or after I watch the movie?

[@lilj4818]

I don’t really care much for movies. I just wanted to hear Michael talk.