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Generally considered the greatest film of all time, "Citizen Kane" is even more remarkable for the fact that was only the second feature-length film directed by Orson Welles, who was twenty-six years old upon its release. What audacity, to undertake the production, co-writing, direction, and acting the lead role by the wunderkind who cut his teeth on Mercury Theatre radio productions.

The story is basically a mystery. The first scene shows the final breaths and dying word of a man in a mansion on top of a forbidding hill. The film revolves around the meaning of that word.

The man is Charles Foster Kane (Welles), and we learn of his life through flashbacks provided by the narratives of those who knew him, as given to an inquisitive newspaper reporter.

This life-long saga required Kane and his fellow actors to age convincingly throughout the film-another challenge. Welles is charismatic, so he is perfect as Kane-a man who uses his money and force of personality to bend others to his will. The viewer needs to decide is Kane is sympathetic or odious, but that judgment should wait for the final scene.

The other actors fit well into the dramatic storyline. Special kudos go to Joseph Cotten, who plays the part of Kane's long-time associate, Jedediah Leland. I also particularly enjoyed the performance of Dorothy Comingore, who plays Susan Alexander, a working-class woman who eventually sees Kane for what he is.

Welles' direction is novel, showing great attention to framing and composition, as well as the use of light and shadows. The production values are impressive, and the music by Bernard Herrmann (composing for his first film) shows a promise that made him one of the all-time greats.

The story may have been loosely based on the life of William Randolph Hearst, but it is much more than the story of a man. It has no-doubt influenced countless other authors and filmmakers, and its themes still feel relevant to politics today. As a mystery, no moral is needed to tie up the ending. It is up to the viewer to flesh out the inner story of Charles Foster Kane and judge the value of a man's life.

If this genre of film appeals to you, then I highly recommend this film. It features a wonderful and talented cast who really knows how to evoke emotions from a script.

In fact, the script deserves praise. It shows the audience more than it tells, which is one sign of an excellent film, because it respects the viewer's ability to understand action and subtext without a verbal explanation for everything.

The film also features wonderful music and some beautiful scenery.

The story is about second chances. A young architect (Jake Allyn) loses his best friend (Sarah Fisher), then discovers a secret that may change his life. Expect some emotional scenes that feel rewarding, and some characters that are very likable.

This story of knights and courtly politics has the bones of a good tale, but is betrayed by inferior production values.

Robert Taylor plays the part of Ivanhoe, the true and chivalrous. Joan Fontaine plays the beautiful Rowena. They have some good moments together. The part of Rebecca is played by Elizabeth Taylor, who is stunningly beautiful.

But this is primarily a film of pageantry and spectacle, and it falls short in both areas. The scenes of man-to-man combat feel feeble. The clanging of weapon on shield sounds like beating a garbage can lid with plastic. When the archers loose their flights of arrows, they appear uneffective and silly. And the scenes of jousting, with the spectators in the stands, feel like they were filmed on a sound stage.

The bottom line is there are many other films of this era that are more rousing and more believable.