The advantage of using IMAX technology in a film of this nature is that the viewer can more easily appreciate the awe-inspiring architectural treasures that influenced the making of San Simeon, William Randolph Hearst's "castle." This 40-minute film also includes stunning aerial footage of the castle itself and the California coastline it overlooks.
It isn't, however, for the hardcore architecture aficionado or "Citizen Kane" fan, on the hunt for inside dope on the real Xanadu (Charles Foster Kane's baroque fortress in Orson Welles's classic). The events from Hearst's life that inspired the design of San Simeon, such as a trip to Europe with his mother, are re-created with actors. The costumes look authentic and dialogue is kept to a minimum, but these are fairly static tableaux. Photographs and silent film footage document the building of the castle and the guests (Clarke Gable, Charlie Chaplin, and such) fortunate enough to enjoy its pleasures, such as swimming, horseback riding, and feasts in La Grande Casa. However, recordings or readings from books and letters might have helped to bring this material to life.
This is a broad look at an architectural wonder that lies somewhere between beauty and kitsch. Although the film isn't billed as a biography of "The Chief," a more personal approach might have made for a more compelling feature, but probably wouldn't have utilized IMAX technology so well. Special features include Web links and trailers for four other IMAX features. "--Kathleen Fennessy"