Citizen Kane - The Greatest Movie of All Time?

[Villain]

Well, pretty much every major movie critic seems to think this movie is above and beyond all others. What is everyone else's opinion? Is there a consensus "better" movie?

To throw out some of my favorite competitors:

• On The Waterfront
• Casablanca
• Psycho
• The Silence of the Lambs
• Patton
• Schindler's List
• The Godfather Part I & II

 

[Grand Prix]

I like Casablanca more for it's story and setting, but Citizen Kane was impressive from a technical standpoint. Both have had a huge impact on culture.

The Godfather is tough to beat though, it excels in all areas. Innovative cinematography, acting, direction, special effects, plot, etc. I think The Godfather has stood the test of time better, even though it is newer than those two.

 

[Villain]

Personally, I think that if you lump the first two Godfather movies together (I actually prefer the second one) then they are the best movie/sequel combination. Godfather III was awful. I didn't like a single thing about that movie...

 

[Public'sTwin]

I always get a tinge of melodrama when I watch Citizen Kane; I can't help but feel elements of it are parody, even when they are not. It's true, Welles' direction and technical prowess are magnificent, but it founders in areas where other films of the era are more nuanced.

I would tend to err towards 2001: A Space Odyssey, or Apocalypse Now over Citizen Kane.