The 1949 noir masterpiece 'The Third Man' is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer, delighting fans who have long hailed it as 'one of the best movies ever made'. Directed by Carol Reed and starring Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, and Alida Valli, the film has a near-perfect 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The story follows American writer Holly Martins as he arrives in postwar Vienna to meet his friend Harry Lime, only to discover Harry has died in a suspicious accident. As Holly investigates, he uncovers a black-market ring and learns that Harry faked his death to escape justice, leading to a moral dilemma: betray his friend or uphold the law.
Fans have praised the film's iconic ending, zither score, and cinematography. One reviewer called it 'one of my all-time favs, maybe my all-time favourite', while another described it as 'comprehensively outstanding and a work of genius'. The film's use of actual war-ravaged Vienna adds to its authenticity.
'The Third Man' is widely regarded as a defining noir film, with a thrilling sewer chase and haunting final shot that keep audiences engaged. Its dialogue, written by Graham Greene, and the moral complexity have cemented its status as a classic.
