Thriller: The Third Man
Director: Carol Reed
Production Company: London Film Productions
Release Date: 3rd September 1949
Country where made: Vienna
Awards nominated: Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations
Audience response:
The Third Man is a movie that looks and feels not like a movie of the 40s, but like a neo-noir of the late 60s/early 70s. This wonderful example of classic noir is one of the all time greatest films. It combines amazing visuals, sounds, dialogue, and acting to tell a thrilling story and comment about the atmosphere after WWII.
I agree completely with the above comment, the way the Third Man was filmed was extremely impressive for its time, it's been one of the milestones ever since. If anything the only difference between filming from then and now is that it's now in HD! The same generic features are still used from then today in most films, we plan to use a few generic features from this film in our own thriller production, this is explained further down this post. The user has also mentioned how the film comments on WWII, I'd agree that it quite clearly links in due to being straight after the war as well as incorperating throughout the entire film many different shots of ruins throughout Vienna.
The mass-market Daily Mirror (2 September 1949) ran the headline: "Pardon Me if I Rave!" Its critic Reg Whitley enthused: "At last, here's a film we can really rave about!... Produced and directed Carol Reed, the film combines superb artistry with 100 per cent. entertainment value... a magnificent piece screencraft!"
The external review from The Daily Mirror obvious enjoyed the film, the artistry value points towards the amazing number if impressive shots from the Sewers, Back Lighting, Cat licking Harry Limes shoes and more! It all adds up to a great film.
My personal opinion of the film is that it's very impressive, after watching it you can clearly see where many generic features come from, and why many people still comment and review on The Third Man. One of the key strengths of the film however is how it uses a large variety of shots, one of which sticks out in my mind.
Below you find a short clip I took from Youtube, throughout this you will find plenty of amazing shots, the key ones at 0:32 and 1:01. The first shot is an extreme close up of Harry Lime when he's been spotted by his old friend Holly Martins spots him, this is a very generic feature with a figure standing in an overhanging doorway shadowed by darkness. The 2nd shot is a tilted shot of Harry Limes shadow running off into the distance.
The way Carol Reed uses very bright lighting to throw the shadow across the wall to build up tension has had an impact on many films, throughout modern horrors you seen shadows on walls creeping up on you and more. However the way it's done is very simple considering the affect it has, it is for this reason that we've decided to use similar lighting via car lights for out Thriller Production.
6 comments:
Good Work Matthew Tyrell! :D
What does the tilt shot of Harry Lime connote about his character? Explain in detail what the lighting suggests about Harry Lime?
You must analyse the technical aspects of mise-en-scene (purpose and effect) in order to provide evidence of understanding of film language.
Only 1 film independently planned? Not enough (and this includes your mock) to give you any more than Low Level 2 for this section. You must also reference points to the four key concepts to include institutional information.
Ms Barton
I mean one film independent researched not planned.
Matthew you must post more research into your blog.
"The same generic features are still used in most films today" - what films, how are these features used, why are these used?
You have a little time to address these points.
Overall research into thriller films indicates mainly basic understanding with some examples of insight.
Low Level 3: 12/20
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