How does Welles present the setting of Xanadu in the opening moments of the film?
How does the newsreel make Kane’s excesses clear?
Why are the reporters kept in shadow with very little light revealing their faces?
What film techniques are used to highlight the security placed on Thatcher’s memoirs? How does the secretary’s actions and dialogue add to this scene?
What is the effect of the deep-focus framing; parents and Thatcher in foreground, window in mid-shot, Charles playing in the snow in the background?
What is the effect of the snow slowly covering Charles’ old sled? Why doesn’t he like the new sled?
Why does Welles use a low-angle shot in presenting the scene where Kane takes over the office?
Why does the director keep Kane in shadow as he reads out “The Declaration of Principles”? Why does Kane make this declaration?
How is it made clear that Kane’s media empire is a success? Identify and describe the effect of the techniques employed in this montage.
Why does the director fade into the tea scene with Kane and Emily, and with Leland slowly nodding?
How does the montage help to demonstrate the changes in their relationship as the years passed? Why did the director use the montage technique here?
As the montage reaches its end, the shot changes from medium to long shot. How does this add effect to the sequence?
Discuss the effect of the camera’s movement throughout the campaign trial scene.
How is the suspense developed from the moment we see the shadowed figure in the stalls, to the confrontation at Susan’s apartment?
Describe the dramatic opera house scene. Discuss use of music, camera, editing and lighting. How does Welles make it clear that Susan is not a good singer?
Why does Welles repeat the previously used montage? As voyeurs, why do we expect to gain more from Susan this second time around?
Discuss the interaction between Kane and the singing teacher. How does the director emphasize Kane’s power?
How does the opera house montage differ this time? Why is this the case? How does the viewer feel towards Susan at this point? Explain.
Explain Kane’s fervent applause at the end of Susan’s performance.
How does Kane feel about Susan’s suicide attempt? What tells you this?
“You don’t know what it means... when a whole audience just doesn’t want you” - How does Susan’s plight parallel Kane’s? How does the director make the parallel clear?
Voices have a different resonance in Xanadu. Explain the effect.
What is the effect of the large spatial distance between Kane and Susan as they talk at the end of the jigsaw montage?
“You can’t do this to me” - Why does Susan react so strongly to this plea from Kane? How does the director make her exit more powerful?
Explain the use of the mirrored-image of Kane walking the halls of Xanadu? What do the mirrors evoke in the mind of the viewer?
How does Welles emphasize the futility of the reporter’s quest?
Describe the dramatic climax as the sled is burned, the smoke billowing into the sky above Xanadu. How is the sequence made effective?