The Third Man (1949)

Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) is an American pulp novelist who has arrived in Vienna, Austria, to stay with his friend, Harry Lime (Orson Welles).  In 1949, Vienna is a divided city, having English, Russian, American, and French sectors, very like Berlin.  No sooner does he arrive at Harry's flat than he learns that his old friend died in a car accident only a few days prior.  He finds his way to the funeral.  Afterwards, he is invited for a drink by an Englishman named Calloway (Trevor Howard).  Holly eventually realizes that Calloway is a policeman probing for information.  Indeed, Major Calloway announces that Lime was a criminal who escaped arrest by his untimely death.  Unsatisfied, Holly starts investigating the death.  He meets Harry's girlfriend, Anna (Alida Valli), an actress.  She was not there when Harry died, but Holly finds that he is attracted to her.  He meets the two men who were with Harry at his death.  Still looks accidental.  However, a local says that he saw a third man on the scene.  Now, Holly believes his friend was murdered and Calloway is blind to it.  Before Holly can learn more, the witness is dead, and he is being accused of the murder!

Cotten is terrific as the clueless American who doesn't realize he's in a foreign country that follows different rules.  Despite being clueless, he is persistent.  Welles is excellent as Harry Lime, a thoroughly charming rogue who rationalizes misdeeds with witticisms and offers a what-can-I-do shrug about the ill fate of his allies.  He can threaten death in one breath and abiding friendship in the next.  For such a small role, he does a lot with it.  Howard is his usual commanding self.  I can't recall a role where he wasn't the stern commanding type.  However, his back and forth with Cotten provide some amusement.  Alida Valli plays a surprisingly deep role, possessing loyalty to Lime, affection for Holly, and reasons to avoid the authorities.  A conflicted character that is well-portrayed.

The classic thriller, one of the all-time great Film Noir movies.  Not only does it have Welles, Cotten, and Howard, it also boasts two future leaders of MI-6.  Bernard Lee (M from 1962 to 1979) appears as the tough yet genial Sgt. Paine.  Robert Brown (M from 1983 to 1989) appears as a nameless policeman.  The assistant director was Guy Hamilton, who would go on to direct four Bond films, notably Goldfinger (1964).  Another Bond director, John Glen, was only a teenager when he worked as an assistant sound editor on this film.  He went on to be editor of three Bond movies and directed every Bond film in the 1980s.

Highly recommended.  In fact, Roger Ebert listed it among the 10 best films of all time.