The Third Man (Special Edition) DVD

Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton), an American pulp fiction writer, travels to meet up with his old friend, Harry Lime (Orson Welles). However, when he arrives he learns that Lime has been killed in a suspicious accident. He become involved in a complex mystery with Lime’s ex-girlfriend (Alida Valli), and soon it becomes apparent that Lime may not be dead after all.

The Third Man is often regarded as the best British film ever made (it topped a poll conducted by the BFI). It is certainly an enormously impressive work, and is notable in particular for its daring innovations; unusually, the film featured a truly evil villain (many movie antagonists are violent and sadistic, but few profit from the sufferings of children), and by making this vile criminal far more charismatic and entertaining than the would-be hero, Reed was subverting the conventions of the genre (the film was made in the days when heroes got all the good dialogue). The use of Anton Karas’ zither music was also a bold decision – this was, after all, a film noir, and the bouncy score could easily have ruined the atmosphere.

Reed’s boldness pays off, however, and Welles’ performance, which ultimately amounts to a cameo, is one of his best. He is sinister enough to be genuinely menacing (such as the famous scene on the big wheel) and charming enough for the audience to appreciate why he and Martins used to be good friends. Valli is also impressive in a complex role; at first she appears to inhabit a femme fatale role, yet gradually it become clear that she has passionate feelings towards Lime, and that she ranks as another one of his victims (Lime’s complete disinterest in her plight is still shocking).

The Third Man has dated extremely well, with smart dialogue and superb, Oscar-winning cinematography (the chase through the Viennese sewers is particularly striking, with its vivid use of shadows). People may bemoan the state of the British film industry, and often they have a point, but once the British could compete with the best of Hollywood and The Third Man serves as a sharp reminder of the cinematic talent that Britain used to support.

Alex Davidson on 11th May 2004
Author of 231 reviews