G321 The Third Man Notes

Director: Carol Reed
Year Made: 1949
Country Of Origin: UK


I watched 'The Third Man', which is a Thriller filmed in Austria's capital (1949), Vienna. Directed by Carol Reed and this film won an Oscar. it was named often the Greatest British Film Ever Made, and was after the second world war when the city was divided into zones, which adds to sense of a chaotic giddy world, and that something is not right. Also it was filmed in black and white which is a genric classic film-noir/thriller type, and adds to a mystery sense. Holly Martins is seeking an old friend, Harry Lime and the curious the mystery of his 'death' and his whereabouts in the city.
The director uses many tilt/canted shots of the city (straight away he introduces the feeling when we see the shoe in the box) which gives off an off balanced sense of a dream, and also experiments with different angles which emphasises different feelings. The low angle shot of the city shows Vienna's dominating, almost a maze or puzzle, and shows it at night time which emphasises its mysteries and silhouetted shadows everywhere. This would make Holly very aware and scared that someone is following him, from the reflection of himself on the walls. Or if it's even his alter ego- Harry. A famous shot/scene in the film is where Holly Martins is walking through the ruined city, and it is seen as threatening and makes him look small and vulnerable against the ancient stoned walls suffocating him in. The walls of Vienna are very hostile and not 'friendly'. This is because Holly has crossed the lines of ememy territory which hasn't been forgoten after the war, as if these walls seem personified and alive.
Shadows are projected on the walls of the staircase when Holly is walking up the stairs, this creates fear and is a generic signifier to a thriller. Also diegetic footsteps are heard and this helps to build suspense. Claustrophobia is created when Holly Martins is trying to escape through the dirty sewers and this emphasises his moral descent, and how is resembles a rat in many ways.