The Third Man

I bought this movie because it is the best British film of all time. It is the best of all foreign-made film noir movies. Great films are not planned, they occur by a chance meeting of great direction, cinematography, acting, script, musical score and etc. "The Third Man" contains all of these elements! Carol Reed is a consummate director. In this movie, he combines a number of elements to give it a realistic atmosphere. He uses the city of Vienna as a grim backdrop to the plot. The destruction of World War II is apparent: bombed-out buildings, careworn people clearing the rubble, desperate survivors selling their possessions for life's necessities. Reed uses odd camera angles to show the convoluted and out-of-joint social conditions of post-war Vienna. Several Viennese actors and actresses have supporting roles. Certain landmarks are used in the film. All of these elements are used to give the movie a sense of realism. Graham Greene's script crackles with sharp and sometimes witty dialog. The characters are fully developed. He traveled to Vienna in order to do the necessary research for the initial treatment of the plot. The script is devoid of platitudes and self-righteous morality. With the exception of Holly Martins (Lime's naive, American, pulp-novelist friend) the characters in the movie are amoral and greedy. The character of Harry Lime finally appears towards the end of the film which heightens the curiosity and the expectations of the viewer. Pursuing the elusive and wily Harry Lime through dangerous, shadowy post-war Vienna is like capturing a ghost. When the authorities come to arrest him, Lime descends to the sewer system like a cornered, frightened rat. The principal actors and actresses, as well as supporting players, give outstanding performances. Joseph Cotten plays a naive, pulp-novel writer who is anxious to clear Harry Lime's name. He falls in love with Harry's girl friend (Alida Valli). He cannot believe that his friend is involved in the black market, but he reluctantly accepts his friend’s guilt. Trevor Howard (Major Calloway) relentlessly and single-mindedly pursues Harry Lime, despite the cost to himself and others. Bernard Lee is excellent as the major's assistant and body guard. Alida Valli gives a wonderful performance. As Harry's girl friend, she exudes a world-weary persona and remains loyal to him to the end. Orson Welles steals the show. He considered the part of Harry Lime as the best part that has ever been written for the screen. The producers paid big money for his involvement in the film and they got a their money's worth. The musical score establishes the tone of the movie. Anton Karas's score is spirited but it lacks joy. As the plot thickens, the music grows more somber and more desperate. Robert Krasker's oscar-winning, lustrous photography makes good use of lights and shadows. It gives the film a expressionistic atmosphere. The Criterion 2007, double-disc release is filled with great supplementary materials. I enjoyed the documentary on the making of this film. The print is pristine in quality, as clear and crisp as the Greene's screenplay. If you like black and white movies, you will not be disappointed with this release. In summary, The Third Man embodies why I enjoy black and white movies. A well-written, directed, acted and produced film is like enjoying a good meal. Whenever I watch this movie, it is like being re-acquainted with a good, old friend.Read full review