Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard, Orson Welles, Paul Hörbiger
1949-08-31
In postwar Vienna, Austria, Holly Martins, a writer of pulp Westerns, arrives penniless as a guest of his childhood chum Harry Lime, only to learn he has died. Martins develops a conspiracy theory after learning of a "third man" present at the time of Harry's death, running into interference from British officer Major Calloway, and falling head-over-heels for Harry's grief-stricken lover, Anna.
Ein meisterhaftes Stück Film noir, das in den Schatten der Nachkriegszeit spielt. Die Kameraarbeit von Orson Welles und die unheimliche Flötenmusik tragen zur düsteren Stimmung bei. Joseph Cottens Darstellung ist glaubwürdig, aber es ist Orson Welles, der als der schurkische Harry Lime einen bleibenden Eindruck hinterlässt. Der Film berührt mit seiner erzählerischen Brillanz und dem moralischen Dilemma, das die Hauptfigur plagen. Die Schwarzweißfotografie verstärkt die Spannung und das Gefühl der Unsicherheit. Ein Muss für jeden Krimi-Fan.
Ah, what a delight 'The Third Man' turned out to be! Set in post-war Vienna, this film noir masterpiece by Carol Reed weaves a tale of intrigue that's both beguiling and labyrinthine. Orson Welles, in his most iconic film role, is a tour de force as the elusive Harry Lime. The atmospheric cinematography by Robert Krasker, especially the celebrated closing shot, transports you to a world shadowed with ambiguity and moral complexity. It's a film that feels as timeless as the riddle it presents, one that lingers with you long after the credits roll. The soundtrack, with its haunting zither theme, complements the narrative's chill and allures you into its smoky embrace.
