Citizen Kane
A group of reporters are trying to decipher the last word ever spoken by Charles Foster Kane, the millionaire newspaper tycoon: "Rosebud". The film begins with a news reel detailing Kane's life for the masses, and then from there, we are shown flashbacks from Kane's life. As the reporters investigate further, the viewers see a display of a fascinating man's rise to fame, and how he eventually fell off the top of the world.
Despite its microbudget of $840K, Citizen Kane became a commercial juggernaut, earning $23.2M worldwide—a remarkable 2665% return. The film's fresh perspective engaged audiences, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
1 Oscar. 16 wins & 13 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Citizen Kane (1941) reveals strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Orson Welles's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.0, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kane dies alone in Xanadu, whispering "Rosebud" as the snow globe falls from his hand. The opening establishes the end: a powerful man dies isolated in his castle, having lost everything that mattered.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Thompson begins his investigation by attempting to interview Susan Alexander Kane at the El Rancho nightclub. Though she refuses, the quest to understand Kane through witness testimony has begun.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Thompson commits fully to the investigation, methodically interviewing Bernstein. The structure shifts from framing device to deep narrative excavation of Kane's rise and the relationships that defined him., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 43% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Significantly, this crucial beat Kane's political career is destroyed when Boss Gettys exposes his affair with Susan. Emily leaves with their son. False defeat: Kane loses the governorship and his family, but doubles down by marrying Susan and forcing her into opera., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Susan attempts suicide after Kane forces her to continue performing despite her misery and public ridicule. The whiff of death: Kane nearly loses Susan, and must finally let her quit singing, but the damage to their relationship is irreversible., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 71% of the runtime. Susan finally leaves Kane. He begs her to stay, but she walks out. Kane's rage destroys Susan's bedroom, until he finds a snow globe and whispers "Rosebud." The realization: he has lost everything by trying to control everything., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Citizen Kane's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Citizen Kane against these established plot points, we can identify how Orson Welles utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Citizen Kane within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kane dies alone in Xanadu, whispering "Rosebud" as the snow globe falls from his hand. The opening establishes the end: a powerful man dies isolated in his castle, having lost everything that mattered.
Theme
In the newsreel screening room, Rawlston says: "It isn't enough to tell us what a man did. You've got to tell us who he was." The theme: discovering the true nature of a man beyond his public achievements.
Worldbuilding
The News on the March newsreel presents Kane's public life: newspaper empire, political ambitions, marriages, art collection, and death. Thompson receives assignment to find the meaning of "Rosebud." The investigation framework is established.
Disruption
Thompson begins his investigation by attempting to interview Susan Alexander Kane at the El Rancho nightclub. Though she refuses, the quest to understand Kane through witness testimony has begun.
Resistance
Thompson reads Thatcher's memoirs, revealing young Kane's separation from his mother, his inheritance, and his rebellious use of the Inquirer to attack the establishment. We see Kane's idealistic beginnings and first corruption.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Thompson commits fully to the investigation, methodically interviewing Bernstein. The structure shifts from framing device to deep narrative excavation of Kane's rise and the relationships that defined him.
Premise
The promise of the premise: witnessing Kane's meteoric rise as a crusading newspaper publisher, his friendship with Leland, his political ambitions, and his passionate affair with Susan Alexander. Kane at his most dynamic and powerful.
Midpoint
Kane's political career is destroyed when Boss Gettys exposes his affair with Susan. Emily leaves with their son. False defeat: Kane loses the governorship and his family, but doubles down by marrying Susan and forcing her into opera.
Opposition
Kane's megalomaniacal control intensifies. He forces Susan into an opera career despite her lack of talent, leading to public humiliation. Leland's friendship deteriorates. Kane builds Xanadu as a monument to himself, isolating Susan completely.
Collapse
Susan attempts suicide after Kane forces her to continue performing despite her misery and public ridicule. The whiff of death: Kane nearly loses Susan, and must finally let her quit singing, but the damage to their relationship is irreversible.
Crisis
At Xanadu, Susan is bored and trapped, doing endless jigsaw puzzles. Kane refuses to let her leave or engage with her as an equal. Their relationship disintegrates into bitter silence and mutual resentment.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Susan finally leaves Kane. He begs her to stay, but she walks out. Kane's rage destroys Susan's bedroom, until he finds a snow globe and whispers "Rosebud." The realization: he has lost everything by trying to control everything.
Synthesis
Thompson concludes his investigation. Raymond the butler reveals Kane's final word but not its meaning. The estate is catalogued and burned. The reporters admit defeat: "I don't think any word can explain a man's life."
Transformation
The camera reveals "Rosebud" was Kane's childhood sled, thrown into the furnace and burned. The boy taken from his mother, the lost innocence, the one thing money couldn't buy back. The transformation: we understand what Kane never could.