08. CITIZEN KANE (1940)
Its gone on to arguably become the most influential and important film in cinema history and whilst the benefit of hindsight is a beautiful thing, back in 1940, Citizen Kane was still like nothing ever seen before. With an aesthetic that remains unrivalled, Welless opus was so extravagant that his vast set pieces were built with ceilings (then uncommon in Hollywood set builds) and his deep-focus photography lovingly lingered on its directors creation. Combining breathtaking cinematography from Gregg Toland with unparalleled performances and a mysterious narrative that gradually reveals snippets of information before its dramatic climax, Citizen Kane is rightly considered a quintessential example of Hollywoods epic productions. The fact that How Green Was My Valley (1941) won the Award remains baffling! Yes, its a well-made film that brilliantly captures the gritty nature of the narrative, but in comparison to Citizen Kane it fails to impress anywhere near as much.