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View Full Version : Citizen Kane v. Touch of Evil

bskutle
06-25-2001, 04:06 PM
This is one I hope stirs a lot of debate. Which Orson Welles classic is better? My personal opinion is that while "Citizen Kane" is a definite watershed for cinema, I feel "Touch of Evil" is the more assured and better work. It's not as much of a show off work as "Kane" is (save for that spectacular tracking shot at the front), and I think it's interesting to see what he was able to do with an essentially B-movie story. Plus, I think the story as a whole is more interesting with "Touch of Evil" than "Kane" is. "Citizen Kane" is great, that much is obvious. But for me, "Touch of Evil" is better. What does everyone else think?
Lindsey
06-25-2001, 04:39 PM
Citizen Kane
stuart
06-25-2001, 04:56 PM
Yes, Citizen Kane was a landmark film, but really only in terms of directing. In terms of story, I much prefer Touch Of Evil. Also, where else can you see Charlton Heston play a Mexican? Bloody marvelous!
Raena
06-25-2001, 06:09 PM
I know I'm one of the few who believes this, but while CITIZEN KANE may have been innovative filmmaking, the story itself bored me to tears. I'd rather sit through TOUCH OF EVIL's opening tracking shot any day.
Cyclonus
06-25-2001, 07:23 PM
"Kane" is more "important," but "Touch of Evil" is more immediately entertaining. How to choose...?
Ebert
06-29-2001, 04:10 AM
Citizen Kane! It probably is the greatest movie of all-time!
Hannibal21
05-09-2003, 07:51 AM
Well, knowing that Citizen Kane (15/10) is my greatest film of all time I'd have to go with that. But Touch of Evil (10/10) was another Orson Welles masterpiece that was great as well. Both are in my top 100. CK is number 1, Touch of Evil is lower.
rupert pupkin
05-09-2003, 08:29 AM
touch of evil is fantastic...seething with seediness
MickeyKnox
05-09-2003, 08:37 AM
CITIZEN KANE
Tuukka
05-09-2003, 09:06 AM
Touch Of Evil, easily.
Nate6
05-09-2003, 03:26 PM
Citizen fucking Kane. I don't find it boring at all, in fact, I find it a lot of fun!
Hannibal21
05-09-2003, 07:14 PM
Originally posted by Nate6
Citizen fucking Kane. I don't find it boring at all, in fact, I find it a lot of fun!

Exactly. In fact, it's one of the most entertaining movies IMO, funny too. :)
QUENTIN
05-09-2003, 08:20 PM
They're both 10/10's, with Kane being the better, but I think had The Magnificent Ambersons not been tampered with, it would have been better than both of these. Fucking AMAZING shots, and one of the best female performances of all time (Agnes Moorhead) remain, but an hour of his ultimate vision do not, probably the greatest loss in cinema history.
Cyclonus
05-09-2003, 10:05 PM
Citizen Kane -- 9/10
Touch of Evil -- 8/10

Haven't seen The Magnificent Ambersons, but this excellent review by James Berardinelli pretty much sums up the situation.

http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/m/magnificent_ambersons.html
bob
05-10-2003, 03:11 PM
Citizen Kane is an all-time classic, whereas Touch of Evil is one of those "so bad it's good" movies. How this debate started is beyond me...