The Third Man – Review

Based on a book, with the author also writing the screenplay, The Third Man is a very solid and interesting mystery thriller featuring some classic actors. While the mystery story itself is quite good, it is enhanced by its setting and the recent history of the world, which present plenty of additional avenues to ponder.

Opening in post-WW2 Vienna, the city is divided into four controlled parts, one for America, Britain, France and Russia. This sets the stage for an diverse and unique locale, as beautiful architecture is present, along with rubble from recent fighting. There is also a clash of cultures, as multiple allied forces all control their segments of the war-torn land.

Author Holly Martins (Cotten) is drawn to the country as he has been offered a job from his pal Harry Lime (Welles). Vienna features quite a vast black market, as various goods are trafficked between the controlled areas, as well as in and out of the country itself. At times this leads to enhanced tensions and crime. Martins is no expert on the ways of the land, but seeks his old pal Lime and some ways to make money. His pulpy books, such as ‘The Lone Rider of Santa Fe,’ are only doing so well these days.

As Martins arrives and looks to track down Lime, he immediately finds that his friend has perished in an accident as he got run over by a truck. Lime’s funeral is soon, so Martins attends as a way to say goodbye as well as find out more info if possible. At the event, he meets Major Calloway (Howard) of the Royal Military Police and notes a few suspicious characters as well as a pretty woman. Calloway states he is not a fan of Lime, and describes some criminal ways of which Martins is less aware.

As some plot threads begin to form, Martins begins looking into his friend’s demise, as past dealings. He intertwines himself in Vienna bars and enjoys much alcohol, while also beginning to dig into black market affairs. Maybe Harry’s girlfriend Anna Schmidt (Valli) will know more, if Martins can keep himself from pursuing her.

The Third Man remains quite intriguing to this day. As mentioned previously, the setting provides opportunity for all sorts of culture and history to be injected into the plot. While the mystery story itself could likely work in a remake and another locale, it would lose some of its significance if translated elsewhere and moved in time.

The film is expertly shot and gorgeous to look at, with Vienna on full display. The acting is good and never cheesy, with the roles taking the plot seriously and showing the right emotional responses. The script allows for plenty of introspection, as we can all ask how well do we actually know our friends? How far would we go if one winds up dead?