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Citizen Kane

A landmark in the history of cinema, telling the story of newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane in a series of flashbacks. Starring Orson Welles.

Frequently voted one of the best films ever made, Orson Welles's masterpiece tells the story of newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane in a series of flashbacks. A reporter is intrigued by the dying Kane's last word - rosebud - and sets out to find a new angle on the life of one of the most powerful men in America. Nine Oscar nominations resulted in only one award for the outspoken Welles - Best Screenplay.

Available now

1 hour, 59 minutes

Last on

Christmas Eve 2025 09:00
BBC Two

  • Witness: Citizen Kane

    Hear archive interviews with Orson Welles about one of the greatest films of all time.

What's so good about Citizen Kane?

It has topped BBC Culture’s list of the greatest American films – and many other polls before. But what’s so good about Citizen Kane?

Citizen Kane's follow-up: The greatest story never made?

In honour of Orson Welles’ death 30 years ago, his friend film-maker Henry Jaglom tells the colourful story of their attempt to make a ‘bookend’ to the greatest American film.

Credits

Director Orson Welles
Charles Foster Kane Orson Welles
Kane (aged 8) Buddy Swan
Kane III Sonny Bupp
Kane's father Harry Shannon
Jedediah Leland Joseph Cotten
Mr. Bernstein Everett Sloane
Mary Kane Agnes Moorehead
James W Gettys Ray Collins
Susan Alexander Kane Dorothy Comingore
Walter Parks Thatcher George Coulouris
Raymond Paul Stewart
Emily Norton Ruth Warrick
Matiste Fortunio Bonanova
The Headwaiter Gus Schilling
Herbert Carter Erskine Sanford
Mr. Rawlston Philip Van Zandt
Jerry Thompson William Alland
Director of photography Gregg Toland
Writer Herman J Mankiewicz
Composer Bernard Herrmann

Broadcasts

  • Tue 30 Dec 2008 23:35
    BBC Four
  • Christmas Day 2009 19:00
    BBC Four
  • Sat 30 Apr 2011 12:15
    BBC Two except Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Tue 3 May 2011 21:00
    BBC Four
  • Mon 1 Apr 2013 09:40
    BBC Two except Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Sun 22 Sep 2013 21:00
    BBC Four
  • Sat 14 Jun 2014 14:00
    BBC Two except Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Sun 3 Jan 2016 21:00
    BBC Four
  • Sat 23 May 2020 15:15
    BBC Two except Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Sat 1 May 2021 14:30
    BBC Two except Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Thu 6 May 2021 20:00
    BBC Four
  • Thu 19 May 2022 21:00
    BBC Four
  • Thu 18 Jan 2024 20:00
    BBC Four
  • Fri 20 Dec 2024 11:05
    BBC Two except Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Thu 4 Sep 2025 23:55
    BBC Four
  • Christmas Eve 2025 09:00
    BBC Two except Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire

Featured in...

Citizen Kane: More than a great movie?

Citizen Kane: More than a great movie?

On the centenary of Welles' birthday, some things you may not know about the classic film

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