Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

The Third Man is a brilliant film noir picture filmed on location in post-war Vienna. Joseph Cotten stars as a dime-novel writer from America, Holly Martins, who travels to post-WWII Vienna in response to his college friend's invitation, Harry Lime (Orson Welles). Upon arriving in Vienna, Martins discovers that Harry Lime has been killed, and he is advised by the Ally police force to return to the USA at once. Martins, a story teller with a boyscout's morals, decides to stay in order to find out what really happened on the day of Lime's death. According to a local landlord/utility type character, Harry Lime was killed when struck by a fast-moving automobile and his body was dragged to the sidewalk by three men. Two of these men can be identified, but who is the third man? The movie's focus remains on Holly Martins as he unravels a mystery involving Vienna's post-war multinational police force, a group of racketeers, and Lime's girlfriend (Alida Valli).

One of the most brilliant aspects of this film is the cinematography combined with the exotic setting. Post-war Vienna isn't a set in The Third Man, it is the real deal. The cinematographer, Robert Krasker, makes full use of the chaotic, yet beautiful environment of urban war rubble with photography and camerawork that is far ahead of his time. Fortunately, the Academy does SOME justice occasionally, as Krasker won an Oscar for this film in the 1950 Academy Awards.

Just like anyone else, I really love a great screenplay. Graham Greene delivers a classic with his usual brilliance in character (especially hero) development. All of the characters within The Third Man are there for a reason, and more importantly, all are unique AND believable. Greene's hero expertise has won him accolades all over the industry, but Holly Martins is perhaps his most exceptional character design: the pulp-writing boyscout hero who begins to realize that the line drawn between right and wrong is quickly thinning. Graham Greene, just like most of this cast and crew, has become a film industry legend, and he proves his worth (and then some) in The Third Man.

As for the directing: Carol Reed, 'nuff said.

Obviously, no classic motion picture is complete without legendary acting. Citizen's duo of Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles return for The Third Man, and deliver the goods. There is no other man in history who could have played the Martins role better than Cotten, likewise for Welles' portrayal of the slick Harry Lime. While contributing less to the directing of the film than one might think, Orson Welles DID provide some of the lighting schemes and also wrote Lime's famous "Cuckoo Clock" speech. Welles contributes to the depth of the cast, but also gives one of his best performances ever as Harry Lime (despite the briefness of his time on-screen). Behind the dynamic duo of Cotten/Welles, sultry Alida Valli and actor Trevor Howard give THE performance of their careers.

Also contributing to the "classic" status of The Third Man is the famously peculiar zither soundtrack provided by ex-street musician Anton Karas. The zither score means so much to this film that the two cannot possibly be separated in conversation. Absolutely legendary material. In the 50th Anniversary Edition of The Third Man (DVD and VHS), Karas is shown playing the score on his zither... priceless. The effect of The Third Man's soundtrack can't really be put into words; you just need to experience it. Up there in "the best film scores of all-time" list.

There is one negative that, as a generation-x member, I must point out for people on the younger end of the age-scale. Unfortunately, the editing provides a few dated scene-transitions that don't really sit well with the modern audience. This negative can easily be ignored, and as a film student, I could very well just be over-emphasizing technical elements in an otherwise brilliant film. Please don't let this small thing dissuade you from watching one of the best films of all-time.

In conclusion, my recommendation is simple: don't rent it... buy the 50th Anniversary Edition immediately!!! I don't care what your favorite genre, actors, directors, etc are, just buy it. I promise that you WILL slap yourself in the face for never taking the time to watch this classic after seeing it for the first time. One of the few films that I can honestly say that EVERYONE will enjoy. A perfect balance of simplicity and elegance, art and entertainment... To give you an idea of The Third Man's greatness, the American Film Institute rates it #57 on its all-time 100 greatest films list, and the British Film Institute rates it #1!!!

NOTE: Please make every effort to see the 50th Anniversary Edition of this film. The digital restoration and extra elements within it make a great deal of difference in your enjoyment and appreciation of The Third Man. Buy this version (trust me), it is available in both DVD and VHS.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older