The Third Man (1949), directed by Carol Reed
The story is set in atmospheric post-World War II Vienna. American Holly Martins, a penniless author of cheap Western novels, arrives in Vienna at the invitation of his old friend Harry Lime. Wondering why Lime has not welcomed him at the train station, Martins tries to find him at his home only to be informed that Lime just died in a tragic accident a couple of days earlier. But upon further inquiry into the circumstances of Lime's death, Martins is confronted with contradictory accounts that raise his suspicions. Alert to the possibility that Lime might have been murdered, he decides to stay in Vienna for a while longer to find out the truth. | ||
Plot & Themes Time/Era of Movie: Crime & Police Story? Yes Crime story: Actual chase scenes or violence - 20 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 % Criminal enemy is... If this is a criminal POV story... Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality - White (American) Secondary Main Character Identity: - Female Ethnicity/Nationality - Eastern European Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: Ethnicity/Nationality - White (American) Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Physique - average physique Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor How sensitive is this character? Setting Europe Yes European country: - Austria Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - non-gory references to death/punishment Kind of violence: - Unusual forms of death - drowned Any profanity? - None |