Citizen kane Quote by Roger Ebert
“You can have a movie with hardly any cuts, or very few cuts, that is fascinating, you can't take your eyes away from it... Look at some of the long takes in Citizen Kane.”
About This Quote
Source Film Review: Citizen Kane, 1941
A film with long, uninterrupted takes can captivate viewers, holding their attention without frequent edits.
In simple terms: Long takes can be mesmerizing.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate sustained visual storytelling.
Themes
cinema
attention
visual storytelling
Mood
engaged
thoughtful
Type
analytical
appreciative
When to use this quote
- watching classic movies
- studying editing
- directing scenes
- film criticism
Key Concepts
film theory
long take technique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do long takes affect narrative pacing?
- When do cuts enhance storytelling?
A Different Perspective
Long takes may risk monotony if not purposefully designed.
![“Gene [Siskel] often mentioned something François Truffaut once told him: the most beautiful sight in a movie theater is to walk down to the front, turn around, and look at the light from the screen reflected on the upturned faces of the members of the audience.” quote by Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2d8/roger-ebert-655_audience_gene-siskel-often-mentioned-something-fr_61356.jpg)
