For 40 years, “the greatest film ever made” has topped the BFI’s 10 yearly Sight and Sound poll.

It has also come in at No 1 on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years… 100 Movies list.

It shouldn’t be too surprising considering that when Citizen Kane hit cinemas in 1941, moviegoers had never seen anything like.

From its revolutionary cinematography and editing to its influential script’s structure, the epic drama set a precedent for modern cinema.

What makes the feat even more profound is the fact that Orson Welles was just 25 when he directed, produced, co-wrote and starred in the picture as its titular character.

Citizen Kane star Welles as publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane, whose dying word is “Rosebud”. Reporter Jerry Thompson sets out to discover its meaning, as the film tells Kane’s life story from humble beginning to immense power and wealth. Nominated for nine Oscars, including Outstanding Motion Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, the film outrageously only took home one for Best Original Screenplay.

Citizen Kane is on BBC Two at 9am on Christmas Eve and is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.