The Third Man

Apparently the opening voice-over of The Third Man was redone when the film was shown in America, which seems like an utter travesty. Because Carol Reed's narration of post war Vienna is uttered in such a fantastic way and the way it so colloquially rolls into the introduction of Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) is so pleasant. A let me tell you about this guy I know comfort to it. The American version voiced by Cotten is much less interesting.

The Third Man has Holly, an out of work writer arriving in Vienna having been invited by Harry Lime. He quickly learns that Lime has been killed and the police suspecting he was a smuggler are more than happy to rule it an accident. Holly is not so sure. As Holly investigates he discovers holes in the story and meets Lime's girlfriend, Anna Schmidt (Alida Valli). As Holly discovers what happened and learns about Lime's dark dealings, he struggles with doing the right thing.

Cotten is great as the American asking questions, making everyone from Lime's mysterious friends to the local British detective nervous. Ever the brash American not caring about the complexities of law or the fact that this investigation could result in pain. The reveal late in the film is just right and the final sequence in the sewers of Vienna is paced perfectly.

Not often can one talk about the setting of a movie as being a fully realized character but here is one time where it is no question. Vienna with its bombed out buildings and burned cars and rubble are alive with the action. The dark sewers are haunting and labyrinthine and it works perfectly for what needs to happen. Lime (Orson Welles) has a beautiful amorality that is at times repulsive and at times charming.

From start to finish this triller keeps the interest going and it worth watching. Oh and did I mention the crazy zither score? Crazy because you can't imagine a whole movie scored with zither music. Crazy because it totally works.