Title: The Third Man
Director: Carol Reed
Writer: Graham Greene
Starring: Joseph Cotton, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, Trevor Howard
Duration: 104 minutes
In post war-torn Vienna, Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) meets with his old friend, Harry Lime (Orson Welles), who has offered him a job. But when Harry Lime is killed by a truck while crossing the street Holly Martins is shocked. He attends his friend’s funeral. But was Lime’s death an accident?
The Third Man was written by Graham Greene, who based the screenplay for the film on his own story. It’s a common belief that The Third Man is a British movie masterpiece, which is why I was keen to see it on Blu-ray, 61 years after its initial release. Not precious about his own material Graham Greene removed some elements of his story and changed names to adapt it for the screen.
The Third Man is shot like an American film noir, numerous night-time scenes, rain-slicked streets and crazy camera angles all work together to create an off-beat atmosphere, full of tension and suspense. The cinematography is simply wonderful. The black and white photography is really striking. Indeed it was Oscar-winning for Robert Krasker. While Anton Karas’ score was also groundbreaking – the zither music became a mid-century craze.
The Third Man has many stand-out scenes that are often spoken of mini masterclasses of movie making – the sewer chase, the confrontation on top of the Great Wheel between Harry and Holly as well as Orson Welles’ famed ‘cuckoo-clock’ speech.
The direction by Carol Reed is truly masterful, although debate still rages over whether Orson Welles may have actually directed – the camera angles a giveaway for Welles’ style. The performances are amazing, Welles has a small amount of screen time, but every second is perfect.
The Third Man is a classic movie that deserved it’s restoration on re-launch in High Definition on Blu-ray.
