Wow, way to resurrect an old thread! The ide of "greatest" film is so subjective as to be ridiculous. It's one reason I don't care for the Oscars. Why choose a "best" when some films and performances ore equal? For example, how could Peter O'Toole not win for Lawrence of Arabia? Because the winner was Gregory Peck for To Kill a Mockingbird. Both deserved to win. Both are splendid films.
One person's idea of "the greatest" might seem ludicrous to someone else. For example, I would never place Cat on a Hot Tin Roof anywhere near my top 5. It is well cast (featuring Liz Taylor in her prime!), and Richard Brooks did a good job of trying to wrap up the story. But, like all Tennessee Williams plays/films, it's all about the fact that someone in the story is...gay! So what? I have to say TW's plays really do little for me these days (but hats off to director Richard Brooks for trying to "fix" the play).
Sure, lots of people don't appreciate Citizen Kane. However, it will always be held in high esteem by cineastes because of its dazzling style, and storytelling methods which were unlike anything seen up to that time. Add the fact that it was directed by and starred a 25-year old Orson Welles, and you have a film and backstory that will always be interesting (to some).
I'm a huge fan of classic films. I have many, many favorites. Kane may be my favorite, but 1938's The Adventures of Robin Hood is a close second. Today, I received my Amazon pre-order of the 1925 silent classic The Big Parade and the 1953 film From Here to Eternity on Blu-ray.
Kool!
And I totally agree, what works for one might not work for another.
For instance I am waiting for the Ultimate whiz-bang collectors edition of the Directors cut of... “Bonnie and Clyde”. A film I would rate as very high up there, maybe the BEST-ACTED film of all time.