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 echter Klassiker des Film Noir, direkt aus der Nachkriegszeit. Die Atmosphäre in den Trümmern von Wien ist fühlbar, und Orson Welles gibt einen undurchsichtigen Schurken, der perfekt in diese düstere Welt passt. Die Kameraführung ist bemerkenswert, insbesondere die legendäre Anfangssequenz. Die politische Intrige und die moralische Zweideutigkeit spiegeln die Unsicherheiten der Zeit wider. Ein Film, der die Komplexität menschlicher Motive und die Schattenseiten der Macht aufdeckt.
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.
