In my personal opinion Citizen Kane isn’t the best movie of all time however I do understand why critics cite it as the best movie of all time. There are three major reasons why it is considered top and that is because of its critics pride of being American, it being top on a American list and how its lasted over time.

The critics pride of being American or any American viewer can be seen in this film, even its popularity wasn’t seen until the next decade, it was released during a time in war. So when Welles released it this showed the themes of the American dream and the true American. This likely resonated well with critics at the time because of that they looked passed Kane’s floors as a person and chose to look at his better qualities. This is relevant as you can see this in other films considered in the top 100, the most famous one being Rocky what is another one what brings in the idea of being a proud American even though he starts off as being this weak intellectual, who smokes and works for loan shark. However they look past that and he is seen as someone who embodies the American way like Kane, so during WW2 it was a good reminder who the identity of being American what likely hit critics on a personal level as well.

It’s on an “American” top 100 list of best of all time what can show that all the top movies on the list are  not considered the same by other countries best films. If you were to compare the top 50 movies of the AFI with BFI(2nd of the top 50 list and 3rd on directors list) top 50 there is more of mix of films from different cultures, even though that list has its issues like the top 100, it at least doesn’t limit itself. Unlike the BFI the AFI only celebrates american film culture and doesn’t celebrate any other culture what limits the list and doesn’t appreciate film as a whole. This is why Citizen Kane doesn’t have a claim to being the best film ever made as it has never ranked correctly on unbiased list. This list shows to bias and more critic opinion than general opinion as Star Wars is chosen over Empire Strikes Back even though it is generally the more well received movie and considered best western of all time The Good, The Band, And The Ugly doesn’t make the list even though it was produced by United Artists an American Company what makes it fit the criteria to make the list. If the list was more general opinion with critics only giving the names of films they thought should be considered at the top I do believe we would see what is considered the best film of all time, however I doubt that as it always comes down to personal opinion.

It has survived well over time compared to other older films, yet it was seen as the best until a decade after its original  release by European countries. I do believe this is though why it is resonates well with critics though as for a movie from 1941 it holds up very well, with it not feeling as if its outdated. The movie may be black and white but instead of hurting the film it rather helps it by give its genre of being a noir film and that’s why its seen as a great film as for its time it was unlike anything else from before. This is why I feel is that it is still talked as one of the greatest as it feels like anyone can view its not down to personal taste and it lasts over time for it using everything what could hurt it to its advantage.

I do see the reasons for why its up there as the best but these lists in my opinion are not a good view of film industry as film is down to personal opinion. In the end I see the top 100 films more based off breakthroughs in the american film industry in general and these movies are the greatest examples of this.