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I was about 11 years old when I saw this film and the plot, film noir classic scenes, acting, and mood remained with me until this day even though I am now 79 years of age. This film and others of dark genre were set in post WWII while Europe sifted through the ashes of a horrible war. I can't find large faults with the film and frankly, it scared me silly as a kid. Joseph Cotten was good in his role but the drunk or tipsy scenes seemed a bit forced. Orson Welles typically turned in a great performance as did Alida Valli. The plot twists such as the ending scene with Valli ignoring Joseph Cotton at the end was classic. I give this wonderful classic five stars.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
First off, the cinematography is beautiful. Carol Reed and the DP did a wonderful job lighting scenes with bright backlighting to give the film its unique noir style. And the canted camera shots are powerful. Orson Welles' performance is the best, and it is remarkable watching his face and eyes as he reacts to Cotten. He goes from good-natured to threatening in seconds, and we believe every second of it. The guidelines for eBay say to write about the cons of the film, too. I have no complaints. "The Third Man" may not be up to par with Welles' other classic, "Citizen Kane," but this one is an altogether different type of film, with odd archetypes and bold characters who say what they mean. It can be said to play off of the themes of "Casablanca" -- and if you see both films, you'll know what I mean. It does not rip off "Casablanca," though, and that should also be obvious. This is arguably one of the top 50 films ever made, and it would be a welcome addition to any film lover's collection. Plus, it might earn a nod from fellow critics because it is so hard to find anywhere except on the internet. Buy it; you won't regret it.Read full review
"The Third Man" has been voted the best British movie of the 20th century. It certainly is. This masterpiece of film noir is sadly mostly remembered by people for its mesmerizing zither theme by Anton Karas. There is so much more to this movie than just the marvelous theme song. The plot is superb, gripping, and keeps the viewer guessing. The acting is perfect. Joseph Cotten rules the day as Holly Martins, the western novelist who discovers his own real-life mystery when he arrives in Vienna. Cotten is a pleasure to watch as a man who realizes he is watching his naivete slowly disappear like water into the Vienna sewers. And no one could have played Harry Lime as the rotten scoundrel he was better than Orson Welles. Welles' face is on most of the promotional material despite the fact that he's in the film for less than 15 minutes all told. There is a reason, however: his first appearance on screen is one of the most memorable entrances in the history of film, and his "cuckoo clock" monologue should be on the American Film Institute's "100 Best Movie Quotes" top ten list (but surprisingly it didn't even make the top 100!). This is a movie that is not to be missed by anyone who considers themselves a movie fan. The extras in the Criterion Collection add to the joy of this classic that is so timeless despite being set in a specific time frame (post-WWII Vienna). The American opening is included (the DVD is actually the UK version, which includes 11 minutes of footage cut from the US version) along with commentary. This is one of my favorite movies, and this collection is the best way to watch it.Read full review
One of the best movies ever made, one I can watch over and over and not get tires of it; Orson Wells performance is outstanding, even though he is not the main actor, he dominates the production. Alex Korda's camera work excels and also has a touch of Citizen Kane in the camara angles. The German spoke in the background adds an aditional surreal quality. Criterion is one of the best in dvd re-leases and this one is outstanding. It includes the "British ending" and also has Grahm Greene's voice in the opening scene rather than Joseph Cotten. Enjoy
One of the greatest noir movies of all time. Post WW II Vienna: The black market is thriving. A down on his luck Holly Martins has been invited to hang out with his "best" friend Harry Lime, but when he arrives he finds Harry Lime has just died...But was it an accident or something more sinister ? Joseph Cotten as the bumbling, soft-hearted gullible Holly Martins. Trevor Howard as the condescending, impatient but understanding "good Sheriff" in a very bad town, Alida Valli as the extremely vulnerable but not quite femme fatale, Bernard Lee leads a great supporting cast as the sympathetic nice cop who becomes a good buddy to Holly Martins. And of course, Orson Welles in one of his greatest roles, as the charming opportunist without a conscience, Harry Lime. So many great moments in this movie: The Ferris Wheel scene with Welles' improvisation lines, the heartbreaking long cut last scene....The book by Graham Greene is an excellent read but this movie is better !Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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