Review of The Third Man (1949) by Suraj K — 09 Dec 2009
From the first pluckings of the Harry Lime theme (Anton Karas: "He'll have you in a dither with his zither!") to the final scene where Anna keeps on walking down the tree-lined avenue past Holly Martins - this is pure cinema heaven.
It seems that everybody involved was at the peak of their form - the screenplay by Graham Greene is wonderful; the cinematography of Robert Krasker is mesmerising, turning post-war Vienna into a foreboding world of stark lights and sinister shadows; and Carol Reed keeps it taut and suspenseful throughout.
And as for the performances - Joseph Cotten is good, Trevor Howard is better, but the film belongs to Orson Welles as Harry Lime. He is only in the thing for a miniscule period of time, but to what effect! The scene where we see him for the first time - a cat nuzzles against his legs ("He only liked Harry.
..") before the camera pulls out and a light goes on in an upper window to show him illuminated in the doorway - is simply amazing.
This review of The Third Man (1949) was written by Suraj K on 09 Dec 2009.
The Third Man has generally received very positive reviews.
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