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Brigitte Timmermann (Text) Frederick Baker (Pictures)
Der Dritte Mann
Czernin Verlag, October 2002. 288 pp. Described by the late Leslie Halliwell, king of film encyclopedists, as a 'totally memorable and irresistible romantic thriller' and 'stylish from first to last', The Third Man has never wanted for praise and adulation since its first showing in 1949. But now, over fifty years on, a new book has appeared that does full justice to the film. This is a truly comprehensive volume that gives insights into both the production of the film and the cultural and political life of Vienna in the immediate postwar years. Brigitte Timmerman's text, allied with Frederick Baker's absorbing 'picture-essay', takes the reader on a lively tour of Vienna that brings the film and the city to life. Divided into 10 chapters, the book outlines the history of the film, from its origins in Graham Greene's script to its international success. Conditions in Vienna at the time are brought vividly to life. The British, Americans, French and Russians were still occupying the city, and crime and black-marketeering were rife. The book goes behind the locations that were made famous by the film, from glamorous backgrounds like the Prater down to the famous sewage system. Nothing is left out. The book also brings to life the key people involved in the making of the film. Due attention is paid not only to Greene as a writer, but also to his connections with MI6 and the double agent Kim Philby. Possible real life models for Harry Lime are investigated. The book also provides fascinating insights into the role of the director, Carol Reed, and the cast.
The book is beautifully presented and richly illustrated with stills from the film and production shots (some of these now published for the first time), as well as reproductions of other documents such as letters, cartoons, posters and music scores. Already much praised by reviewers in its home country, this impressive volume makes the story of the film almost as riveting in its own way as the film itself. Could one say more?
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