The Third Man (1949) Starring: Joseph Cotten, Valli
(Alida Valli), Orson Welles, Trevor Howard Directed by Carol Reed. Screenplay
by Graham Greene. Produced by Carol Reed. Run time: 105 minutes. UK/US Black
and White Suspense, Film Noir
After World War II, Vienna, Austria, like Berlin, was
sub-divided into zones controlled by the Allied Forces: the US, the UK, the
USSR and France. It is in this divided city that the film The Third Man takes
place. The city is described in the film’s opening narration, as read by Carol
Reed, as “in the classic period of the black market. We'd run anything if
people wanted it enough and had the money to pay. Of course, a situation like
that does tempt amateurs but, well, you know, they can't stay the course like a
professional.”
