• Commentaries - presented here are three audio commentaries, one of which was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2021.
  • 1. Commentary One - this new audio commentary was recorded by James Naremore, author of The Magic World of Orson Welles, and Jonathan Rosenbaum, author of Discovering Orson Welles. I found the commentary seriously underwhelming because of the attempts of the commentators to infuse it with contemporary political relevance that was completely out of sync with their observations.
  • 2. Commentary Two - this archival commentary was recorded by Peter Bogdanovich in 2002. If you like Citizen Kane, you are likely familiar with it. Bogdanovich has some rather interesting comments about the narrative construction of the film, the manner in which light and shadow are utilized in it, Orson Welles' direction and performance. While occasionally there are rather long gaps between the comments, it is definitely worth listening to in its entirety.
  • 3. Commentary Three - this archival commentary was recorded by the late critic Roger Ebert in 2002. I think that it is the most attractive one, if this is actually possible, and certainly the one that offers the most diverse interpretations of key sections of Citizen Kane.

• The Complete "Citizen Kane" - this archival documentary about the production of Citizen Kane aired on BBC 2 on October 13, 1991. It features clips from interviews with Orson Welles and various people that helped him make the film. In English, not subtitled. (96 min).

• Working on "Kane" - presented here are archival interviews with editor Robert Wise, actor Ruth Warrick, and visual effects operator Linwood Dunn in which the interviewees discuss the production of Citizen Kane. The interviews were conducted for Criterion in 1990 and were included on the label's fiftieth-anniversary LD release of the film. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• On Toland - in these archival interviews, cinematographers Allen Daviau, Haskell Wexler, and Vilmos Zsigmond discuss cinematographer Gregg Toland's contribution to Citizen Kane. The interviews were conducted for Criterion in 1990 and were included on the label's fiftieth-anniversary LD release of the film. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• Craig Barron and Ben Burtt - in this new program, effects experts Craig Barron and Ben Burtt discuss the unique effects in Citizen Kane. The program was produced for Criterion in 2021. In English, not subtitled. (28 min).

• Robert L. Carringer - presented here is a brand new video essay by film scholar Robert L. Carringer, author of The Making of "Citizen Kane". The essay was produced for Criterion in 2021. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Farran Smith Nehme - in this new program, critic Farran Smith Nehme discusses the connection between Citizen Kane and William Randolph Hurst. The program was produced for Criterion in 2021. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• Reframing "Kane" - in this new program, critic Racquel J. Gates discusses Citizen Kane, its status as the "greatest film of all time" some of the challenges that emerge when introducing the film to a younger audience. The program was produced for Criterion in 2021. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• Martin Scorsese - in this archival interview, Martin Scorsese discuses some of the unique qualities of Citizen Kane. The interview was conducted for Criterion in 1990 and was included on the label's fiftieth-anniversary LD release of the film. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• Stills Photography with Commentary by Roger Ebert - this audiovisual program features Roger Ebert commenting on various photographic stills from the production of Citizen Kane. The program was created in 2002. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• The Opening: The World Premiere of "Citizen Kane" - a brief newsreel footage from the premiere of Citizen Kane at the Palace Theatre in New York City on May 1, 1941. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for Citizen Kane. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• My Guest is Orson Welles - this brand new program combines segments from Orson Welles' 1970 and '80s television appearances that sum up his image and career. In his later years, Welles financed his filmmaking in part via these paid appearances, up to and including the October 10, 1985, episode of The Merv Griffin Show - recorded mere hours before Welles died. The program was produced in 2021. In English, not subtitled. (43 min).

• Joseph Cotten - presented here are two archival interviews with Joseph Cotten in which he discusses his relationship with Orson Welles.
  1. Interview One (1966) - conducted for Granada Television in the UK. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).
  2. Interview Two (1975) - the actor's speech at the AFI Life Achievement Award event honoring Orson Welles. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Knowing Welles - in this collection of archival interviews, filmmakers Peter Bogdanovich, Henry Jaglom, Frank Marshall, and Martin Ritt, and cinematographer Gary Graver discuss Orson Welles' personality and working methods and explain what they learned from him over the years. The interviews were conducted for Criterion in 1990 and were included on the label's fiftieth-anniversary LD release of the film. In English, not subtitled. (23 min).

• William Alland - in this archival interview, actor William Alland discusses his work with Orson Welles in theater, radio, and on Citizen Kane. The interview was conducted by director John McCarty in 1996. In English, not subtitled. (21 min).

• Mercury Theatre -
  • 1. The Southbank Show (1988). In English, not subtitled. (51 min).
  • 2. The Merv Griffin Show (1979). In English, not subtitled. (19 min).
  • 3. Dracula (1938). In English, not subtitled. (54 min).
  • 4. Heart of Darkness (1938). In English, not subtitled. (36 min).
  • 5. His Honor, The Mayor (1941). In English, not subtitled. (29 min).

• Orson Welles: On the Nose - this archival program was created by David Cairns and Randall William Cook in 2017. It explores Orson Welles' fascination with altering the shape of his nose while playing various characters. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• The Hearts of Age (1934) - this silent production represents Orson Welles' first attempt at filmmaking, at the age of nineteen, while attending the Todd School for Boys in Woodstock, Illinois. (9 min).

• Booklet - 44-page illustrated booklet featuring critic Bilge Ebiri's essay "The Once and Future Kane" as well as technical credits.

Orson Welles' masterwork (#1 in the American Film Institute's list of Best American Movies) dazzles anew in a superb 70th-anniversary digital transfer. It's grand entertainment, sharply acted (starting many of Welles' Mercury Players on the road to thriving film careers) and directed with inspired visual flair. Chronicling the stormy life of an influential publishing tycoon, this Best Original Screenplay Academy Award winner (1941) is rooted in themes of power, corruption, vanity - the American Dream lost in the mystery of a dying man's last word: "Rosebud."