The Third Man

The Third Man is a classic British thriller film directed by Carol Reed, delving into themes of loyalty, morality, and deception in post-war Vienna, Austria. The movie revolves around Holly Martins, a once-promising writer of pulp Westerns who has seen his fortune and writing career dwindle. On his arrival in Vienna, he is met with a sense of desperation, as he is nearing financial ruin. This desperation leads him to pay a visit to his childhood friend Harry Lime, a man he holds aloft as a symbol of their past glory. As Holly Martins arrives in Vienna, he is greeted warmly by his friend, but it soon becomes clear that Harry is not the man he remembered. Harry, who has become embroiled in various underworld activities, has changed since their days as childhood friends. He has become shrewd, calculating, and involved with shady characters. Despite this, Holly is initially thrilled to see his friend and is welcomed warmly into Harry's world. However, his excitement is short-lived, as Harry meets him with a somber expression and reveals that he must address him regarding a matter of life and death. The news of Harry's death sends Holly into a tailspin, filled with shock, denial, and desperation. Desperate to hold onto the friendship of his younger days and to uncover the truth behind his friend's death, Holly Martins launches an investigation into the events surrounding Harry's passing. He is convinced that there is more to Harry's death than what he initially thought and believes that a mysterious figure was present on the scene of the crime, a man he dubs the "third man". As Holly digs deeper into the circumstances surrounding Harry's death, he encounters various characters, some of whom may be helpful and others that prove otherwise. He is met with skepticism and hostility by Major Calloway, a British Military Government officer who is investigating Harry's murder. Major Calloway perceives Holly as a meddling friend and views him with suspicion. This enmity between the two men only deepens as Holly's search for the truth gains momentum. Holly's investigation leads him to realize that there is more to Harry and his world than initially meets the eye. He discovers that Harry was involved in a black market ring which made use of a new type of penicillin that is being sold at the black markets. This new type of penicillin has been adulterated and reduced, leading to harm and death for many of those who bought it in from Harry's black market. Given this background information, Holly is thrown into moral turmoil, struggling with the idea that his dear friend Harry was responsible for such chaos and destruction. As Holly confronts his own emotional turmoil and grapple with the complexities of human nature, he is increasingly drawn to Anna, Harry's grief-stricken lover. Anna, who initially seems aloof and detached, gradually reveals her vulnerable side to Holly, especially in the film's poignant and beautiful conclusion. Her portrayal by Alida Valli in the movie is remarkable and she skillfully portrays the emotion and turmoil which runs through her character. Throughout the film, Carol Reed skillfully masterminds the use of shadows to convey the darker side of Vienna at that time. The rich neoclassical architectural grandeur of Vienna, often shrouded in shade and shadow, epitomizes the enigma of the city which often hides its dark secrets within its once-grand boulevards and historic landmarks. Ultimately, The Third Man emerges as a gripping account of the downfall of a tragic figure and raises several deep questions on loyalty and mortality in post-war Vienna, prompting viewers to ponder the complexities of human nature in the face of suffering, deception and desperation.