If you’ve never seen The Third Man, one of the greatest movies ever made, now might be the perfect time to check it out. You see, Rialto Pictures have just treated Sir Carol Reed‘s to a loving 4K restoration, bringing the stark shadows of war-torn Vienna with a renewed vibrancy. Personally, the film ranks among my all-time favorites, and can’t wait to see the fruits of Rialto’s labor. (I write this while wearing a Third Man t-shirt.) In anticipation of the two-week run that the restoration will have at New York City’s Film Forum starting June 26th, Rialto has just released a trailer for the restored classic and, hoo boy, does it look marvelous.
For those unaware, The Third Man is a noir mystery that takes place in Vienna, the city divided following the end of World War II. I won’t divulge further plot points for unfortunate souls that have never experienced this masterpiece. Starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard, Bernard Lee, and Orson Welles, Carol Reed’s masterpiece is from an original story by the legendary novelist Graham Greene. With some of the finest black and white cinematography ever committed to celluloid and a one-of-a-kind zither soundtrack by Anton Karas, The Third Man is a singular work of brilliance, where everything works perfectly. Until this restoration hits Southern California, I’ll be foaming with anticipation while humming that memorable zither theme.