Citizen Kane

Amazon.com essential video

Arguably the greatest of American films, Orson Welles's 1941 masterpiece, made when he was only 26, still unfurls like a dream and carries the viewer along the mysterious currents of time and memory to reach a mature (if ambiguous) conclusion: people are the sum of their contradictions, and can't be known easily. Welles plays newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane, taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. The result is that every well-meaning or 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. Written by Welles and Herman J. Mankiewicz, and photographed by Gregg Toland, the film is the sum of Welles's awesome ambitions as an artist in Hollywood. He pushes the limits of then-available technology to create a true magic show, a visual and aural feast that almost seems to be rising up from a viewer's subconsciousness. As Kane, Welles even ushers in the influence of Bertolt Brecht on film acting. This is truly a one-of-a-kind work, and in many ways is still the most modern of modern films from the 20th century. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

The Dangers of Ego & Capitalism.......2007-09-05

To me Citizen Kane is about the dangers of the self-made man and his ego. America loves the image of this kind of man making his way to the top. This film shows what often can be involved and how good intentions over time often become distorted by issues of power, greed and ego. The Protestant Work Ethic has long been the bane of our exisitence in this country since Colonial times. Combine that with a born again christian outlook and you have all the excess and extreme of the American character.

We claim to have no aristocracy in this nation, but are not all the Kane's, Hearst's, and Rockefeller's our eqivilent! I would argue that the self-made man is more of a danger than any noble. The self-made man has tasted poverty and wants to crawl his way to the top no matter the price. This outlook, born out of the merciless Industrialism of the last Century has ravaged the natural resources of this land.

Citizen Kane shows us what total, uncontrolled Capitalism is, and how autocratic men like this run it, making any modern day King or noble sweet by comparison. Watch this film for its brilliant camera techniques, and for the incredible stage presence of Orson Welles, yes by all means. But also see this film as a perspective on the American character which has given us our very bloody and ruthless 200 + years of history. Can we change our natioanl outlook and save the enviroment? Only time will tell.

A Biography of a Newspaper Tycoon.......2007-08-24

The film opens on a silent and dark night. An old man dies peacefully in bed, alone. It shows the vast riches of this extremely wealthy man - his monument. Charles Foster Kane was the greatest newspaper tycoon of his day. His wealth derived from a gold mine in Colorado, obtained almost by chance. His newspapers were loved by many, and hated by many. The news reels give his history. He was on track to be elected governor, but a sex scandal caused a loss. He retired to Xanadu, his lavish estate, then died as all must. The journalists will try to investigate his life to figure out his dying words (as if that could be relevant to anybody). This film continues as a search to uncover a mystery that may be unexplainable.

Charles Foster Kane was taken from his parents at an early age because of a contract his mother signed (her investment advisor). Kane received the best education money can buy, but this is omitted. Kane's pleasure is his newspaper, he is a crusader for the masses against the Robber Barons (to deprive a third party of this cause). But in time he is forced to sell control of his 'Inquirer' to a bank. The scenes show how editorial policy is remade. [Note the gas lights, an open flame.] Kane hires away the newspaper men from a competitor to create the greatest circulation in New York, the financial capital. Kane marries the niece of a President (money talks?). Jed Leland tells his memories of Kane. The scenes show Charles' changes in his marriage (he is more arrogant and powerful). Kane runs for governor, a liberal who is the friend of the working man and decent people. [But will the ruling class support this upstart?]

Poor Charlie doesn't realize that private investigators were shadowing him, and his private life ends his hope for a public life. [Most big city politicians were taking payoffs to support the local corporations.] Nothing is more scandalous than a reformer with hidden faults; a politician who is known to love drink and women won't be defeated for this. Susan's singing career soon ends. Perhaps they aimed too high, musical comedies rather than grand opera? Some very dramatic scenes follow and reveal more of the personalities of Charles and Susan. Poor Susan can't stand the strain and pressure. Can a publisher really create a star? Can a millionaire provide a starring role for his girlfriend today? Does great wealth and power lead to corruption and insanity? Was Kane's search for love the result of an unhappy childhood? Charlie's vandalism of his wife's bedroom suggests a sick mind. There is an inventory of Kane's property. What is it worth? Kane saved everything (like many of his generation). At the end we see a child's sled and its name.

This film may have been novel in its day, but now seems dated. It seems like it came from a radio play. It is not really historical or satirical. There were plenty of other targets available, but this film barely recognizes the events that existed during Kane's lifetime (post Civil War to World War II). A fictionalized account closer to reality might have been better.

Since he died alone, how did anyone learn his last word?

If you like movies with class, buy it. If you don't, then stay away from it (it's that simple)........2007-08-19

Don't worry. I'm not going to tell you who, where, when, or what Rosebud is. And, actually, you have to watch the entire film to understand why Charles Kane's last word was Rosebud. This film takes a while to get into but by the end you know it was worth watching.

I still struggle with the meaning of the movie. But here's my guess (it could be wrong or maybe there are several answers):

It tells the story of someone who as a child had fortune thrust upon him and as a man tried to use it to do perhaps the one thing it could never do: buy people's love. Initially we think his enormous wealth is a blessing but by the end we know that it is a curse (and he knows it as well). And so who, where, when or what Rosebud turns out to be makes as much sense as anything else in this crazy world. And I thought it was very touching.

But sorry, I lied: I'll save you 20 dollars right now by telling you that Rosebud is..........just buy the movie before someone else spoils it for you.

Not a movie.......2007-08-04

I bought this expecting to see the movie "Citizen Kane" however, when it arrived in the mail it was not a movie. It came in a weird box that was not like a movie and when I opened it there were two CDs inside. Normally when you buy movies they have a large tape inside that you put into a VCR. I put the CDs into my VCR but they didn't do anything, the machine just made a weird sound. So then I tried putting them into it one at a time but the same thing happened. I even tried rewinding it but nothing happened. I thought maybe it was just the music from the movie, but I don't have a CD player so I can't find out. The box says that it is a movie but it does not include instructions for using the movie or how to make it work. I just wanted to see a movie, I didn't ask for all of this!

4 Stars???.......2007-07-31

Some reviewers have commented on the "snobbery" of some reviewers when reviewing Citizen Kane. I sympathize. But it seems to me that those who take any knock against this film so personally do so for very valid reasons. I knew plenty of what are considered the "finest" films before I watched Citizen Kane, and even enjoyed some of them. However, I perhaps knew very little of film craft and technique, lighting, composition, etc. before I finally sat down and watched Kane.

Like many have said before me (Ebert and and a whole posse of film critics online, CHUD for instance), it was Citizen Kane that made me a - I cringe while stating this! - "film buff." I assume the feeling is likewise with many of the reviewers here. Quite simply, so many movies by so many directors/cinematographers/actors would have passed by me along with their emotional resonance, if it wasn't for Citizen Kane.

It's true; you can enjoy Citizen Kane without trying to notice the innovations that Welles unleashes. It is a brilliantly entertaining story and still one of the best examples of non-linear storytelling (is that too snobby?). But the beauty here is in the details and the way Welles actually _makes_ that emotional resonance happen.

The reason so many people get so personal about this movie is because Citizen Kane is a cinematic gateway drug of sorts. I watched Citizen Kane, and I got it, and from there on in, I found it increasingly harder to be sated by the severely below-average movies that are being pushed on audiences now. I jumped to the Kubricks, the Bergmans, the Renoirs, the Langs, the Quays(s?), the Fellinis, the Melvilles, the Kurosawas, and blah blah blah. Most importantly, _I got it_, and it's because of Citizen Kane.

I don't think that the average filmgoer has to know the ins and outs of editing and direction and cinematography in order to enjoy some of the movies that are considered the "finest" ever made. But it certainly helps, and it more than pays for the effort. It makes you a much more attentive filmgoer, at the very least. It was when I first watched Kane that I asked myself questions like, "How in the world did the camera move through that table? Has lil' Kane been in the window frame this entire time? Oh my god, has that lit window been in the same place the entire time (even its reflection, no less!)? Where the hell are the boom mics? Why is there a gigantic portrait of Kane in every other conversational scene? Have I ever seen a deep focus shot before?"

There is a reason Kane is still atop the AFI's 100 Best list. It is a 5-star movie, through and through. And if you have any idea about the amount of #*$& that Welles went through in his life just to finish his movies (if he even managed that), you'll know that he deserves that top spot more than anybody else. I think that there are better movies out there at this point, I think that Welles himself even did better movies than Kane, but Kane is still one of the best. It is a marvel that this movie still has the power to turn an inattentive college student into a perfectly attentive filmgoer. And hell, I still like Michael Bay's "The Rock"...

This movie deserves 5 Stars, nothing less.

Essential Classics - Dramas (The Maltese Falcon / Citizen Kane / Ben-Hur)

Average customer rating:

Drama Classics
Tremendous value and three classic films!

Essential Classics - Dramas (The Maltese Falcon / Citizen Kane / Ben-Hur)
Essential Classic Dramas
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000MV9O4A
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Amazon.com

This four-disc set, part of Warner's Essential Classics series, collects three truly classic films--The Maltese Falcon, Citizen Kane, and Ben-Hur--in one inexpensive package. The drawback is you don't get the bonus discs of the movies--one in the case of Citizen Kane, and two each for The Maltese Falcon and Ben-Hur (which still needs two discs just for the movie)--so if you're a documentary junky or if you simply have to see the earlier versions of The Maltese Falcon, you'll want to stick with the individual releases. But this set does include the commentary tracks, shorts, photo galleries, and other material that was on the movie discs of those sets, and best of all, they have the great remastered pictures of the previous releases. So if you just want the movies looking better than ever with some bonus features thrown in for good measure, the price per movie makes this set an attractive bargain. --David Horiuchi

Description

Disc 1: THE MALTESE FALCON Disc 2: CITIZEN KANE Discs 3 & 4: BEN HUR

Customer Reviews:

Drama Classics.......2007-09-16

Great Deal, 3 in 1. Have never seen these movies, Citizen Kane, Maltese Falcon, Ben Hur,and this 3 in 1, no excuse to not get these movies. Now I have them in my collection and can finally see these great films and share with friends and family.

Tremendous value and three classic films!.......2007-05-30

I recently purchased this dvd collection, and am very pleased with it. This collection contains the film-only discs from the multi-disc releases of Maltese Falcon, Citizen Kane, and Ben Hur. All have top-notch video and audio quality, and they all have very interesting alternate commentary tracks. If you want all the extra features for these films, you should buy the discs separately. If you are primarily interested in the films and commentaries, then this is a great way to get all three for a very reasonable price.

Average customer rating:

RKO 281
The Battle over Citizen Kane
Excellent Historical Drama
An edible version of historical events
Entertaining, if superficial treatment of famous story

RKO 281 - The Battle Over Citizen Kane
Starring: Liev Schreiber , James Cromwell , Melanie Griffith , John Malkovich , and Brenda Blethyn
Director: Benjamin Ross
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0783116764
Release Date: 2000-04-25

Amazon.com

This absorbing HBO docudrama tells the story of the making of what is considered by many to be America's greatest film, Citizen Kane. "Boy genius" Orson Welles came to Hollywood with no idea how to follow up his stage and radio success in the movie business. A dinner invitation to publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst's castle, San Simeon, inspired him to use Hearst's story as the basis for his brilliant film debut: a scathing allegory about the absolute corruptibility of power. RKO 281 demonstrates Welles's famously obsessive attention to artistic detail, which made his first movie such a masterpiece. But the film almost never made it to the screen--Hearst used his entire empire to try to destroy it. Two of the most mammoth egos in entertainment history--Hearst and Welles--were pitted against one another in the battle over Citizen Kane. Liev Schreiber has the close-to-impossible task of playing Orson Welles. He may not have Welles's monumental presence (who does?) but he does a credible job. John Malkovich turns in a powerful, understated performance as Welles's long-suffering sidekick Herman Mankiewicz, James Cromwell makes a first-rate Hearst, and Melanie Griffith is warmly sympathetic as Hearst's mistress, Marion Davies. The docudrama imparts some marvelously juicy insider lore, such as the real meaning behind the famous dying dispatch in the history of movies: "Rosebud." --Laura Mirsky

Customer Reviews:

RKO 281.......2007-03-30

I found this DVD entertaining, giving the behind-the-scenes look at the making of Kane. I'm a big fan of Welles and Liev Schreiber's performance of Orson was top-notch. Those of you that like story of the Battle over Citizen Kane with Orson Welles and William Randolf Hearst, this is for you. It gives a sense of how motion pictures were made in that era. I found the film to be very inspirational.

The Battle over Citizen Kane.......2006-11-11

"RKO 281" is a made-for-HBO movie on the process of making Citizen Kane, called by The American Film Institute, the greatest film ever made.
The movie is not a biopic on it's creator Orson Welles, in the same way
Walk the Line wasn't a biopic on Johnny Cash. It's a film that details a pivotal event in that persons life. We get some glimpes of Welles childhood, but this movie is about making Citizen Kane. The title of the film, which I don't like at all, refers to what Citizen Kane was called while it was being made. Liev Schreiber plays the "boy genius" Welles, who is tapped by RKO studios to make a movie after his legendary War of the Worlds radio broadcast makes people think the world is being taken over by aliens. Welles and his friend/writing partner Herman Mankiewicz (John Malkovich, who is great), whom he calls Mank, need to write a film but don't have any ideas. Then they meet William Randolph Hearst (James Cromwell), a rich newspaper publisher who lives in a large castle-like mansion filled with gorgeous woman, expensive paintings and statues, and an aura of sadness. After Welles entertains some people at a dinner party Hearst is holding, with a story about bull charging, Hearst gives him a tongue lashing about cruelty to animals. This makes Welles mad, but also gives him an idea...To write a movie about Hearst and change the name of the character to Charles Foster Craig (although later, he decides the name isn't good enough and changes it to Charles Foster Kane). As Welles and Mank work on the script, we're treated to some small funny moments including when Welles comes up with rosebud. Anyway; After the film is completed and people begin seeing it, Hearst begins to fight to get the film destroyed but begins sinking into the depths of bankruptcy. Melanie Griffith plays Hearst's mistress, who bares resemblance to Kane's second wife in the film. Before seeing this film I knew the average things about Citizen Kane that you can read in Roger Eberts book and such. I don't know how much of this film is true, but it was told in such a fun way that it was hard not to like. Orson Welles is portrayed as an occasionally mean, but dedicated man who just wanted to make a movie. I think John Malkovich steals the show as Welles co-writer. He plays his character with such finesse and charm, it's hard not to like him. If I ever hear someone say Herman Mankiewicz, I'll definitely think John Malkovich. The movie is written by John Logan (who penned the Howard Hughes biopic "The Aviator") and is surprisingly well done. I'd rather see a full biopic on Orson Welles, but this is a good substitute. Schreiber wouldn't have been my first choice to play Welles, but he does pretty well. Anyone looking for insight into Welles personal life shouldn't look much further. If you enjoyed Citizen Kane or enjoy watching John Malkovich onscreen than you should check this movie out. It's not perfect (sometimes it's even dull), but it's interesting and well-acted enough to be recommended.

GRADE: B

Excellent Historical Drama .......2006-02-23

Seven years ago, I visited the Hurst Castle in San Simian, CA and was astonished by the grandure, size, and scope of the lavish lifestyle led by William Randolph Hurst. After visiting this palace, I wondered if there ever would be a great movie that was made about this larger-than-life icon. I also read some about the controversy that surrounded Hurst later in his life when Orson Welles made his debut in Hollywood with CITIZEN KANE. Director Benjamin Ross and Producers Ridley and Tony Scott have vividly captured this pivotal moment in Hollywood history that pitted two of the most prestigious men of this era against one another: Hurst, a media mogul and newspaper tycoon, and Welles, the 24 year old controversial "boy genius" of New York. Both James Cromwell and Liev Schreiber give rivoting perfomances as Hurst and Welles as they duel over the release of what would later be considered the "greatest film of all time." Schreiber embodies the young, passionately-driven and volatile Welles, while Cromwell transforms into the tyrannical and manipulative Hurst who would stop at nothing to prevent and ultimately destroy's Welle's masterpiece. This made-for-tv film received a Golden Globe for Best Picture. In addition to brilliant performances by Cromwell and Schrieber, there are also some exquisite performances given by the films supporting cast. The most impressive of these is British actress Brenda Blethyn's portrayal of Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons, who in the film acts as Hurst's vicious informant and enforcer. John Malkovich also provides a great supporting performance as Herman Mankewicz, the screenwriter for CITZEN KANE and friend of Orson Welles. In addition to Blethyn and Malkovich, British actor David Suchet ("Executive Decision"), who plays Louis B. Mayer, president and CEO of MGM Pictures, also provides a memorial appearance in adding to the underhanded deception and corruption in 1940's Hollywood over preventing CITIZEN KANE's release. Rounding out the cast is Melanie Grifitth as the charming, gullible, and attractive Marion Davies (former actress and Hurst's long-time mistress)who was the inspiration for the Susan Alexander character in CITIZEN KANE. Though there maybe some slight historical inaccurancies in the film concerning the CITIZEN KANE controversy, on the whole it is a brilliant piece of movie making that shed even more light on why the American Film Institute named CITIZEN KANE "the number one film of all time."

An edible version of historical events.......2003-09-19

I have to disagree with those who look at this as an historical narrative. This is a great story of a man fighting against a system that treated its employees as slaves. Actors, directors and writers were loaned and traded at the whim of the powerful studio bosses at the time of Kane. This shows the will of one brash, arrogant, young man who dared to stand up to that power and fight for the film he thought should be made.
This may not be historically 100% accurate, but it doesn't need to be. It needs to be the spirit, not the letter. And I believe that it is. Wells was one of the most important people in the history of film, and this dramatizes his beginnings. We should view it as such, and not as a documentary about the making of Kane.
I am in the camp that feels that this is not even Welle's best film. I feel that Touch Of Evil is a better film. But if it were not for Kane, there would have been no Evil.
(Trivia, for the non-movie-buffs. In this film they ask Welles to direct a film version of War Of The Worlds. He actually wanted to direct a version of Conrad's "Heart of Darkness." The studio wouldn't let him. 30+ years later, Francis Ford Coppola wanted to film a version of "Heart of Darkness." Both times, the studio turned them down, saying it was not a viable film. While it may be argued that in the hands of Welles or Coppola "Darkness" may have been viable, this is an example of studios having divine inspiration. Their denials gave us Kane and The Godfather. Both were the second choices of the directors. Thank you RKO and Paramount.)

Entertaining, if superficial treatment of famous story.......2003-08-13

Trying to recount anything from the larger-than-life annals of Orson Welles is a chore in and of itself. One must applaud HBO producers for going to bat with the fascinating story of "RKO 281-The Battle Over Citizen Kane." The subject matter, secret for many years but revealed publicly by a recent PBS documentary, is not exactly the stuff of classic cinema. In addition, movies about movies must always wade through mountains of vanity and self obsession. "RKO 281-The Battle Over Citizen Kane" has both characteristics in spades.

Made in 1941, "Citizen Kane" is generally considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. Director/writer/actor Orson Welles was a 25-year old prodigy at the time, wooed by Hollywood producers and given carte blanche to make his first film. After dinner at the infamous home of publishing giant William Randolph Hearst, Welles decides to make a expose drama about the man's life. "RKO 281" covers this process in a simplistic fashion, finding drama only the the battles between Welles and screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz. Hearst catches wind of the production, gets a sneak preview of the film, and attempts to use his undeniable power to buy the product and have it destroyed. He almost succeeds.

Like most HBO dramas, "RKO 281" suffers from sub-par production qualities but is boosted by fine casts giving excellent performances. Liev Schreiber does a good job in the intimidating role of Orson Welles. The character changes little during the course of the film, and rarely do we get a glimpse of what truly makes the man tick. The true highlight of "RKO 281" are the handful of terrific supporting performances, including the always intense John Malkovich as Mankiewicz, James Cromwell as Hearst and Roy Scheider as the long-suffering RKO producer. Without this trio of true heavyweights, "RKO 281" could have been insufferable.

Amazon.com

Young Orson Welles had the world on a string in 1940. The wunderkind of radio, stage, and screen had already created a national stir with his all-black postmodern production of Othello and the 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast. With Citizen Kane, he set his sights on one of the most powerful men in America: William Randolph Hearst. Little did he realize the consequences that his film would bring about. Hearst had staggering amounts of money and influence that he could bring to bear on Welles and RKO Studios. Particularly offensive to the newspaper tycoon was Welles's portrayal of his longtime paramour, Marion Davies; Citizen Kane showed the actress as a talentless numbskull and a lush, and painted their relationship in unflattering terms. Hearst offered huge sums of money to buy the negative of Kane so that he could burn it; when the studio released the film anyway, he pulled RKO advertising from all Hearst newspapers. With gossip columnist Louella Parsons as his attack dog, he threatened to publicize all sorts of suppressed scandals from over the years, and hinted that "the American public won't be happy to know the number of Jews in the movie industry."

The collision between the 19th-century Hearst and the modern genius and upstart Welles proved to be disastrous to both men for both their names and their careers. Not until years later did Kane receive its due as one of the greatest films ever produced, vindicating itself and Welles both. This documentary provides rare insights into the lives and legacies of Welles and Hearst, carefully framing the debate over the film in the context of the times. Commentary by directors Peter Bogdanovich and Robert Wise (who served as editor for Kane) as well as the son of screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz helps bring home the controversy as it applied to the world of Hollywood. --Jerry Renshaw

Customer Reviews:

Same documentary .......2007-08-23

This Doc is included in the enhanced DVD of the film. I bought both thinking that it wasn't.

Before you buy.......2005-10-12

Isn't The Battle Over Citizen Kane included in the 2-disc Citizen Kane? If I'm right, why buy the doc when you get it with the movie? Sorry, but I saw Kane and Battle were paired as recommended package deal. That makes no sense to me.

Now you have the whole story.......2003-01-08

I've seen "Citizen Kane" dozens of times over the years, and had a general idea of who the film was really about (Hearst) and the controversy it created. After watching "The Battle Over Citizen Kane," however, I now feel that I have a much better understanding not only of the movie itself, but the full story of the two men locked in battle over it---Orson Welles and William Randolph Hearst.

This documentary provides a generous amount of personal information about both men, and comments from experts in relevant fields (Hearst biographers, etc.) as well as people who knew Welles personally. If you're a fan of "Citizen Kane," this companion piece is not to be missed.

A Good but overall disappointing documentary.......2001-10-16

I watched this documentary as part of the Citizen Kane DVD. It is good, telling about the power struggle between Orson Welles and William Randolph Hearst. I also never knew before just how much Welles and Herman J. Mankewickz borrowed from Hearst's life when they wrote the Citizen Kane screenplay. But though it was supposed to be about Citizen Kane, the documentary didn't tell that much about the film itself. It was also rather slow and repetitive. How many times do I need to know that Hearst was a powerful man or that Welles was a young genius? I wanted to learn more about the movie itself. The extras were also nil, there being only a chapter selection and ads for other documentaries...

A classic documentary of a classic film........2000-10-11

This documentary is more than just a rendition of the controversy surrounding "Citizen Kane," it is a pair of parallel biographies of the two men. (Everyone knows about the "War of the Worlds" broadcast, but how many know about his successes on stage--"Julius Caesar" on Broadway commenting darkly on the rise of fascism, or "MacBeth" set in Haiti with an all-black cast.) In the end, it poses the question of whether "Kane" is after all, as much about Welles as it is about Hearst.

Time and time again Welles tempts fate, risking disaster to create masterpieces. Star of stage and radio, film with its limitless possibilities (and Hollywood with its machinations) prove his undoing.

Description

Directed by Jeff Stein (The Kids are Alright), with 5 cameras and a 16 track analog soundtrack, this is a documentation of a classic Vandals Orange County performance from early in their career and is one of the seminal punk concert videos. The video is laced throughtout with hilarious personal profiles of its members within chaotic yet tight live stage performances. Special DVD features include interactive menus, never before seen out-take footage, commentary audio track from the band members themselves, closed captions, bonus videos and trailers.

Customer Reviews:

Anarchy Burger......Hold the Government!.......2002-11-10

WOW! What more can be said, except possibly the greatest punk rock band of all time puts out an older show on DVD loaded with enough bonus features to make your head spin. Even includes a "Vandals sell out" segment in which drummer Josh Freeze is shown back in 1985 doing TV commercials for a toy drum set. If your a huge Vandals fan like me you must own this, and if your not, buy it anyway, the price is well worth it.

Average customer rating:

fewer bells and whistles but still just fine
Get the newer version instead

The Third Man Criterion Collection
Director: Carol Reed
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All | Criterion Collection | Stores | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000P6QY7W

Product Description

Format: DVD Jan 1999 Not Rated Movie Description This classic noir mystery, from the team of Carol Reed and Graham Greene, is generally considered to be the best filmwork of both of these estimable talents. THE THIRD MAN features Joseph Cotten as Holly Martins, a pulp novelist who has come to post-WWII Vienna with the promise of work from his friend, Harry Lime (Orson Welles). Credits Cast: Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles Director: Carol Reed Producer: Alexander Korda, Carol Reed, David O. Selznick Synopsis Carol Reed reached the peak of his form with this classic noir, an elegy for American innocence and European elegance. Joseph Cotten, in fine form, stars as unemployed pulp-novelist Holly Martins. When he arrives in post-WWII Vienna on the promise of a job from his old friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles), he finds that Lime has recently died in a dubious car accident. Against the advice of British sector authority Major Calloway (Trevor Howard), who accuses Lime of criminal behavior, the indignant Martins decides to stay to investigate his friend's death. He searches this city of rubble-strewn streets and bombed-out buildings, earnestly questioning Lime's associates, a cynical, war-weary collection of black-market hustlers. At length, he realizes that the stories he's hearing are so full of contradiction, he's getting nowhere. Yet, he's entranced by Lime's beautiful girlfriend, Anna Schmidt (Alida Valli), who, unlike the others, seems to have loved Harry. Calloway finally provides evidence of Harry's treachery, and Martins, despondent, is about to return home when everything changes in a shadowed moment. THE THIRD MAN is a masterpiece of melancholia featuring extraordinary writing, acting, and directing, as well as a classic zither score by Anton Karas. Film Notes DVD Features: Region 1 Encoding Original and Re-release Theatrical Trailers Production History Audio Interview B&W Extra Info: Criterion Collection UPC: 037429141625

Customer Reviews:

fewer bells and whistles but still just fine.......2007-05-06

I'm fairly certain that the reviewer who gave this older edition one star has not actually seen it. If he had he'd know that the picture and sound are just fine, and from what I can tell about 60% of the features on the two disc edition are on this one too. You'll have to decide for yourself if the bells and whistles are worth the extra money, but if you want to save yourself a few bucks then you're not missing too much with the older version.
Honestly, Criterion would have done us all more of a service if they'd finally gotten "Our Man in Havana" out on DVD instead of putting out a deluxe edition of "The Third Man." But I do have to give them a lot of credit for releasing "The Fallen Idol" on DVD.

Get the newer version instead.......2007-04-12

THE THIRD MAN is a classic tale of suspense and betrayal with a terrific performance from Orson Welles and one of the most unusual film scores ever. However, I almost ordered this DVD by mistake not realizing that it is in fact the older version. Criterion is releasing a brand new version of this title in May which features better picture quality and an entire second DVD full of extra features that are not available on this version. That is definitely the version to get and I am really looking forward to it.

Average customer rating:

The Dangers of Ego & Capitalism
A Biography of a Newspaper Tycoon
If you like movies with class, buy it. If you don't, then stay away from it (it's that simple).
Not a movie
4 Stars???

The Citizen Kane (Gold Edition Box Set)
Starring: Georgia Backus , Joan Blair , Fortunio Bonanova , Sonny Bupp , and Edmund Cobb
Director: Orson Welles
Manufacturer: Creative Design Art
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ASIN: B00007FCTH
Release Date: 2002-11-19

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Customer Reviews:

The Dangers of Ego & Capitalism.......2007-09-05

A Biography of a Newspaper Tycoon.......2007-08-24

If you like movies with class, buy it. If you don't, then stay away from it (it's that simple)........2007-08-19

Not a movie.......2007-08-04

4 Stars???.......2007-07-31

Average customer rating:

Orson Wells Version soars
Best version of Jane Eyre!
Best Film Version of Jane Eyre
Particularly Good First Half
I just saw this today

Jane Eyre (1944) [Import]

Manufacturer: Classicline
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ASIN: B00081QWVW

Product Description

Made two years after Citizen Kane, this 1943 version of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre sure looks like star Orson Welles muscled his way behind the camera much of the time. (In fact, costar Joan Fontaine--who plays the title character--has maintained that Welles methodically did just that every day on the set.) Not that the film's official director was a hack: Robert Stevenson, who later had a busy career at Disney making numerous live-action hits for the studio, such as Mary Poppins, gets the credit. But there's no mistaking Welles's masterful hand in the film's bold and creative look, and there's no getting away from his enigmatic charisma as Rochester, the widower who takes in Jane as a governess to his daughter. An engrossing, gorgeous film, there's even a small role for Elizabeth Taylor at the beginning as Jane's unlucky, doomed friend at a cruel boarding school. -------------- Import Version

Customer Reviews:

Orson Wells Version soars.......2006-10-06

Orson is the perfect Mr Edward Rochester, and Jane, while some say that Joan Fontaine was far too pretty for the role of Jane, She captured Jane's quiet strong spirit and aced the role. The Gothic moodiness of the moores and Thornfield is perfect. Complete with mist and contrast of dark and light. I delight in this film.
My only thought of improvement would be if it could have been longer and not rushed along so much. Though this version may not exactly follow the book, the mood and feeling are there. It is full of heart
A must see!!!

Best version of Jane Eyre!.......2006-08-20

This in my mind is the definitive version of which i noe tend to mark all other version by and they don't come close.With an exellent Joan Fontanine and as a previous reviewer said a Beefy and sexy Orson Welles,with a fine supporting cast.

Best Film Version of Jane Eyre.......2006-07-25

I've been having a "Jane Eyre-athon." There are many good versions of this gothic story of the fight between worldliness and virtue. Many have one really outstanding element, but this version, with Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine remains overall the best. Like most, it eliminates much of the second half of the book, which is the really important part for Bronte, who is one of the finest religious thinkers of her age. There are so many bests in this version, it will always be hard to top for getting Bronte right.

This version was shot when black and white filmmaking was at it's best, and Fox was known as the best at noir/gothic, with velvety blacks, and really crisp lighting and shading. One thing that helps this film be better is that it has the best script (by Huxley, Stevenson and Houseman). The script transitions well, and really captures the major emotional elements of the story. This version also has the best child Jane (Peggy Ann Gardner). I agree with many that Zelah Clarke (Jane in the 1983 miniseries) is probably the definitive adult Jane, but Joan Fontaine is equally fine, and many people will simply not sit through the slow miniseries. Joan Fontaine has a real sense of refined restraint that seems very natural, and her strength is not so much in knowing she is strong, but overcoming her weakness. That is a very important mental/emotional component for getting Jane right.

Orson Welles is beefy and sexy, and plays every note of Rochester perfectly. If he is a bit too young for the role, that is the only flaw. While I feel that Cairin Hinds (the 1997 film version) is the best Rochester, Welles performance equals him. Once again, the striking dark haired beauty Blanche was cast with a platinum blonde, she is undeniably and great and striking beauty, and is the best of the Blanche - easy to see why men like her, and why women don't. Little Margaret O'Brien, who I usually find cloying and hammy is, of course, the perfect Adele, so we have the best Adele, too! She is absolutely convincingly the daughter of a diva, a dancer and coquette, and her "look at me" peskiness is just right for Adele.

The supporting roles, just simply nail the characters as described in the book, Broklehurst, Agnes Morehead as the Aunt, Mrs. Fairfax, and young Elizabeth Taylor as young Jane's friend all add up to make this a masterpiece. Having Bernard Herrmann do the score doesn't hurt a bit, either. (Film buffs will find it of interest that some of the exact themes and sound cues used in this film were also used again in Hitchcock's NORTH BY NORTHWEST.)

See the 1934 version for a laugh and film history. See the 1983 miniseries to see the truest rhendition of the book. See the 1997 version for breathtaking color, scenery and Cirian Hinds' Rochester. See this to be fully satisfied. This is simply an exquisite film - filmmaking at its best in every respect; and while not as letter-perfectly definitive as the 1983 miniseries, I feel it is overall the best, truest version of JANE EYRE.

Particularly Good First Half.......2006-04-06

If you enjoyed Franco Zeffirelli's 1996 version, you should check out this 1943 version of Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre". The two adaptations are almost identical, both chose to front- weight the story, placing considerable emphasis on Jane's childhood and condensing the Gothic romance at the end. Although this makes the ending a bit rushed, it insures that the Bronte's theme is given sufficient consideration.

While the story is generally thought of as a Gothic romance, it is really a tale about how people can make a difference. Jane's childhood was quite horrible and should have permanently warped her, as it would anyone suffering similar abuse and the absence of love. But Bronte wanted to show the positive impact a single individual can have on someone at a formative time. Enter Helen (Elizabeth Taylor) as Jane's (Peggy Ann Garner) salvation, allowing her to have much the same impact later with Adele (Margaret O'Brien).

Director Robert Stevenson was content with the agreement letting the overbearing Orson Welles (two years after "Citizen Kane") direct his own character (Edward Rochester) in the later scenes with costar Joan Fontaine, Stevenson's real interest was in directing children. Which is probably why Garner, O'Brien and Taylor have such a prominent part in the film.

Garner turns in the best performance of the three girls but you have to marvel at six year-old O'Brien's credible French accent.

Welles liked Stevenson and had a good time on the set except when O'Brien was present. O'Brien was thrilled when she first put on Adele's ruffled white gown, and the cast and crew were amused because she could not keep from glancing at herself in the mirror. But Orsen was not pleased and snidely told his secretary that the kid was nothing but a "little scene stealer".

Welles received $100,000 for playing Rochester, about the same amount he got for acting, directing, producing, and partially writing "Kane".

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

I just saw this today.......2006-02-23

Like I mentioned, I just saw this version. I have read the book many times and love the book. First thing, this version does not follow the bood very closely. Too many things were left out. There was not very much emotion portrayed in this version. There was much of it in the book and other versions I have seen. Jane was too pretty in the the movie. I couldn't imagine Jane being that pretty in the book. It tells me in the book that she was plain. Everything was sickly sweet and glossed over.

Average customer rating:

This is a wonderful film.

Magnificent Ambersons - Soberba
Starring: Joseph Cotten , and Dolores Costello
Director: Orson Welles
Manufacturer: Continental
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00031DDDW

Product Description

Import Version - Audio Is English - Artwork Portuguese

Customer Reviews:

This is a wonderful film........2007-02-13

One of the greatest movies of Orson Welles. Here is the synopsis: Orson Welles' followup to Citizen Kane (1941) was utterly different from Kane in style and texture, but just as brilliant in its own way. Welles does not appear on camera, but his voiceover narration superbly sets the stage for the movie's action, which fades in valentine fashion on Amberson Mansion, the most ostentatious dwelling in all of turn-of-century Indianapolis. Its mistress is the haughtily beautiful Isabel Amberson (Dolores Costello). When Isabel's beau, erstwhile inventor Eugene Morgan (Joseph Cotten), inadvertently humiliates her in public, she breaks off the relationship and marries colorless Wilbur Minafer. The neighbors are certain that, since Isabel can't possibly love Wilbur, she will spoil her children rotten. As it turns out, she has one child, George Minafer (Tim Holt), and that one is enough as far as the rest of Indianapolis is concerned. There are those who live for the day that the arrogant, insufferable George will get his comeuppance. When George returns home from college, his mother and grandfather (Richard Bennett) hold a gala reception in his honor. After the death of Wilbur Minafer, the widowed Eugene feels emboldened enough to propose to Isabel again. This time she is willing, but the obstreperous George refuses to allow his mother to see Eugene. His imperious bullheadedness will lead to tragedy for all concerned--and, at long last, a chastened George Minafer will indeed receive his comeuppance. The film's real villain is not George but that old intangible bugaboo called "Progress." As the automobile age comes to fruition, the elegant, cloistered lifestyle of the Ambersons fades from view, finally disappearing altogether.

Average customer rating:

The Dangers of Ego & Capitalism
A Biography of a Newspaper Tycoon
If you like movies with class, buy it. If you don't, then stay away from it (it's that simple).
Not a movie
4 Stars???

Citizen Kane [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009B0R9

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

The Dangers of Ego & Capitalism.......2007-09-05

A Biography of a Newspaper Tycoon.......2007-08-24

If you like movies with class, buy it. If you don't, then stay away from it (it's that simple)........2007-08-19

Not a movie.......2007-08-04

4 Stars???.......2007-07-31

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