‘The Third Man' is an iconic movie. Many critics consider it to be the greatest triumph of British cinema. Carol Reed’s masterpiece is certainly an incredible film with a power to entertain and enthral cinema-lovers as much now as when it was released in 1949. Although he later won an Oscar for directing winsome family-favourite musical ‘Oliver’ (accurately described as Dickens with all of his teeth removed), ‘The Third Man’ is Reed’s artistic triumph.
Set in post-war Vienna, where piles of rubble lay about in the streets of the beautiful old city, ‘The Third Man’ captures on film the paranoia and possibility that pervaded the West. The Cold War dawned and the world was being carved up among the superpowers.
We see the events of the film through the eyes of an ordinary man, Holly Martins, played by the terrific American actor Joseph Cotten. He had already worked so brilliantly with Orson Welles in the much-lauded Hollywood classic ‘Citizen Kane’ and landed the lead in one of the great achievements of British cinema only a few years later. Nice work, Mr Cotten! In ‘The Third Man’, Martins arrives in the quarter of Vienna under the jurisdiction of the Allies, having been persuaded over by his old friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles) with the promise of a job. A published author of unremarkable pulp fiction, Martins sees no reason not to chance his arm and see what Lime has to offer in this brave new post-war world.
One problem though: Harry Lime is dead. A motor accident, by all accounts. A few witnesses saw his body as it was removed from the street. But when Martins speaks to them, they all give different versions as to what happened. Can Martins track down a mysterious third man who may have seen the death unfold? Into this mystery steps Major Calloway of the police (played by Trevor Howard of ‘Brief Encounter’ and ‘Superman’ fame). What he has to say turns Matins’ world on its head. Just how well did he know his old friend Harry Lime? Could it be that he’s not quite the cheery old chum Martins remembered? And how exactly has Lime been making money in Vienna?
Although not quite film noir, but more of a straightforward thriller, ‘The Third Man’ is directed as such. Reed uses a lot of Dutch tilt (angling the camera to give low shots a lop-sided view that disorients the audience). He makes excellent use of the black and white film stock to enhance the contrasts of light and dark, with evocative shadows creating mood. The location filming is superb, revealing the war-torn city in all of its haunted beauty.
Naturally, there is a romance, with Martins falling for Lime’s old flame Anna (Alida Valli in by far her most memorable role). But it’s Martins’ two male relationships that form the emotional hook of the film. At first frosty, Major Calloway gradually emerges in a different light, just as the image Martins has of Harry Lime starts to change in the opposite direction. The climactic scenes at the Praterstern Ferris Wheel and in the sewers of Vienna remain unforgettable gems of cinema. Even when you know the truth about the mystery of ‘The Third Man’, it’s a joy to watch it unravel.
Every production element of ‘The Third Man’ is superb. It’s rare for a film to cohere across the board in such a satisfying way. From Carol Reed’s creative and inspired direction to Graham Greene’s psychologically intriguing script to the lead performances, ‘The Third Man’ reeks of sheer, unadulterated class. Joseph Cotten is the perfect everyman upon whom to hang a story. Trevor Howard gives a delightfully entertaining turn as the police inspector, while Orson Welles, held back for the majority of the film, gives perhaps the most charismatic and memorable of all cinematic cameos. Watch out also for Bernard Lee (later M in the early James Bond movies) and Wilfrid Hyde-White (the loveable colonel in ‘My Fair Lady’) among the familiar faces in the supporting cast.
If you like classic British cinema and enjoy conspiracy thrillers, then ‘The Third Man’ has plenty to offer. It is one of those films that everyone should see at least once in a lifetime. This new release by Studiocanal is the best way to see it, with sharpened picture quality ensuring it looks better than ever before. High definition certainly lifts it, and even if you’re familiar with the film, you’ll likely spot things you’ve never noticed before. I saw it for the first time some years ago on VHS cassette – watching it in 4K UHD is a whole new ball game. This celebratory 75th anniversary comes packed with a host of extra features, enough to keep even the keenest of movie buffs happy for some time. My favourite special feature is an interactive map of the locations, with footage from 1949 in comparison to now, complete with a film historian's guided tour. That iconic Ferris Wheel still stands, and appropriately enough played a prominent part in the final James Bond film to be set during the Cold War, 1987’s ‘The Living Daylights’. All because those concerned loved and rated ‘The Third Man' – one of the undisputed greats of cinema.
Cast: Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, Trevor Howard, Bernard Lee, Alida Valli Director: Carol Reed Writer: Graham Greene Certificate: PG Running time: 104 mins Released by: Studiocanal Release date: 4th November 2024 Buy ‘The Third Man’
