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March 28, 2004
Harry Lime
Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) grew up with Harry Lime (Orson Welles) back in the United States. He hadn't seen him for years when Harry suddenly asked him to come work for him in post-war Vienna. Upon his arrival, Holly would discover that his childhood friend was dead, the victim of a strange accident in which he was hit by a truck. The accident was coincidentally witnessed by everyone in the city who knew Harry best, and that immediately made Holly suspicious.
Upon investigation, Holly would discover his friend was wanted by the local police on some kind of racketeering charge. And as Holly questions each of the witnesses and friends of Harry, he finds their stories inconsistent with that of the porter of Harry's house. Everyone claims two men helped Harry off the road following the accident, but the porter claims there was a third man. It would become Holly's quest to discover the identity of The Third Man.
Helping him in his investigation is Harry's lover, Anna Schmidt (Alida Valli), a local actress. Holly discovers Harry helped get her into Vienna illegally with forged papers; the police soon pick her up, leaving Holly alone to find the truth. Holly's constant questioning raises the suspicions of Harry's friends, and soon, the truth comes out: the Third Man was none other than Harry himself! While another man was buried, Harry went into hiding. Holly discovers Harry following him one evening and chases him into the Vienna sewer system.
In the process, Major Calloway, the local official who tried to catch Harry Lime before his death, reveals the true nature of Lime's crimes to Holly. Harry stole shipments of penicillin from the military, watered down the supply, and was selling it on the black market. He would make tons of money, but the medication made the patients using it even worse. Many died, and many others lived on with great pain. Children were also among the victims of Harry's greed.
Soon after, Harry would meet Holly at a local carnival. Holly tells Harry that Anna has been arrested, but Harry tells him he won't go out on a limb to help her now. Holly is disgusted with him, but Harry wants Holly to work with him still. If he is interested, he should meet him again. Upon telling the police, Holly flip-flops over whether to go through with the meeting to help the police catch Harry. Finally, he agrees to do it only if the police set Anna free. Anna refuses to be a bargaining chip and confronts Holly before his meeting with Harry. The police stakeout the meeting and Harry arrives through the back, just in time for Anna to see him. The police see him too.
The chase is on through the streets and, soon enough, sewers of Vienna. Legions of cops are brought in and soon the underbelly of the great city is crawling with law enforcement. Holly is down there too with Major Calloway. Holly discovers Harry trying to escape; Calloway shoots him. Holly finds Harry dying on a flight of stairs leading to the street, to safety and escape. But Harry is dying, and silently pleads to his friend to put him out of his misery. Perhaps in his last nod to their childhood friendship, Holly shoots Harry one last time and the chase is over. Harry’s greed led to the deaths of many innocent people, and at one point, he was content being one of the dead himself. Holly would see to it, however, that Harry would get what he deserves, even if that meant the end of their life-long friendship.
INTELLIGENCE - 8: After executing his pencillin scheme, Harry Lime concocted a great plan to fool the authorities and get them off his back.
POWER - 5: His skills are used for hiding and escape, not for fighting.
VILENESS - 10: In post-WWII Vienna, there were many sick people looking for help. Harry betrayed them all for profit.
SWAY - 9: Harry used his charm and influence to get his friends to cover up his "death." He no doubt charmed Anna in the same way.
PURITY - 9: He felt nothing for the people who died because of his scheme or for Anna, but he still held onto the chance of a friendship with Holly.
PHYSICAL - 3: Sticking to the shadows and sewers of Vienna was the best strategy for Harry Lime.
TOTAL: 44
Posted by Destro at March 28, 2004 09:10 PM