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Library Film
Features The Third Man
The 1949 British film noir The Third Man was directed by Carol Reed and
written by Graham Greene. It stars Joseph Cotten, Valli (Alida
Valli), Orson Welles, and Trevor Howard. The film takes place in
post-World-War-II Vienna and centers on Holly Martins, an American who
is given a job in Vienna by his friend Harry Lime. But when Holly
arrives in Vienna he gets the news that Lime is dead. Martins
then meets with Lime's acquaintances in an attempt to investigate what
he considers a suspicious death.
The atmospheric use of black-and-white expressionist cinematography by
Robert Krasker, with harsh lighting and distorted "Dutch angle" camera
technique, is a major feature of the film. Combined with the iconic
theme music, seedy locations and acclaimed performances from the cast,
the style evokes the atmosphere of an exhausted, cynical, post-war
Vienna at the start of the Cold War.
Anton Karas wrote and performed the score, which featured only the
zither. The title music "The Third Man Theme" topped the international
music charts in 1950, bringing the previously unknown performer
international fame. It is considered one of the greatest films of
all time, celebrated for its acting, musical score and atmospheric
cinematography. In 1999 the British Film Institute voted The
Third Man the greatest British film of all time.
Join us Thursday September 21st at 7:00 p.m. Ryan Carpe will be
leading a brief discussion after the movie. This is an adult
program and the discussion will be on the adult level. As always,
there will be free theater popcorn, candy, coffee, and Jones
Soda. We hope to see you there!
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