The 80th anniversary of Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane is upon us, and while there has been no official word of a commemorative Blu-ray set, a release with extras is now in the works.
The Criterion Collection is famously quiet about discussing its future plans, but a June 16 posting on the independent Criterion Forum gave the first indication that a new release is in production.
“In a Zoom lecture tonight, Jonathan Rosenbaum mentioned that he is planning to record a commentary track on Citizen Kane with James Naremore,” posted ianthemovie. “He didn’t specify whether it was for Criterion, but it’s worth noting that they both recorded a joint commentary for Criterion’s version of Magnificent Ambersons (in 2018).”
Separate sources confirmed to Wellesnet today that the set is in the offing, though a release date has not been set nor is there word of whether there will be a 4K UHD release.
Criterion has not responded to a request for information.
In 2016, Warner Bros. agreed to license Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons and Journey Into Fear to the Criterion Collection for future DVD and Blu-ray releases.
In addition to The Magnificent Ambersons, Criterion has released other Welles titles including Othello (with Filming Othello), Mr. Arkadin, Chimes at Midnight, Immortal Story and F for Fake on DVD, Blu-ray or both.
Citizen Kane had the distinction of being the first film in the Criterion Collection, released on laserdisc in 1984.
As part of the 80th anniversary of Citizen Kane, Fathom Events will show the film at select movie theaters nationwide, on Sunday, September 19, and Wednesday, September 22. Tickets may be purchased online at fathomevents.com/events/Citizen-Kane-80th-Anniversary-presented-by-TCM-(2021).
Related content:
‘Citizen Kane’ at 80; look back at the 1941 reviews
‘Magnificent Ambersons’ gets white-glove treatment (review)
Criterion Collection releases exceptional ‘Othello’ on Blu-ray, DVD
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