The
Third Man (1949)
Starring
Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten Trevor Howard and Alida Valli
Director
Carol Reed
Awards
Academy Awards
Best Cinematography - Robert
Krasker
Film Notes
"The fractured Europe post-World War II is perfectly
captured in Carol Reed's masterpiece thriller, set in a Vienna still shell-shocked from
battle. Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton) is an alcoholic pulp writer come to visit his old
friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles). But when Cotton first arrives in Vienna, Lime's funeral
is under way. From Lime's girlfriend and an occupying British officer, Martins learns of
allegations of Lime's involvement in racketeering, which Martins vows to clear from his
friend's reputation. As he is drawn deeper into postwar intrigue, Martins finds layer
under layer of deception, which he desperately tries to sort out. Welles's long-delayed
entrance in the film has become one of the hallmarks of modern cinematography, and it is
just one of dozens of cockeyed camera angles that seem to mirror the off-kilter postwar
society. Cotton and Welles give career-making performances, and the Anton Karas zither
theme will haunt you." (Anne Hurley, Amazon.com)
Rated: NR