BBBBB
(out of 5)
Joseph Cotten arrives in Vienna to attend the funeral of a childhood friend who has recently passed away. Investigation into his friend’s life and business reveal that he was mixed up in a black-market scheme gone awry, and that there is a missing suspect out there who might have information as to how he actually died. Orson Welles appears in a marvelous supporting role as a shady figure in this brilliant, exciting British thriller based on the novel by Grahame Greene. Twists and turns abound, plus there’s a fantastic confrontation on a ferris wheel and a climactic chase through the underground tunnels of Vienna. The moody black-and-white photography is gorgeous, and Carol Reed’s direction couldn’t be more impressive. Fans of this film will definitely want to take a look at the little indie film Frogs For Snakes, where actress Lisa Marie gives a reading of Welles’ famous ferris wheel speech.
Directed by Carol Reed
Screenplay by Graham Greene
Cinematography by Robert Krasker
Produced by Carol Reed
Music by Anton Karas
Production Design by Dario Simoni
Costume Design by Ivy Baker
Film Editing by Oswald Hafenrichter
Film Festivals: Cannes 1949
Cast Tags: Alida Valli, Bernard Lee, Erich Ponto, Ernst Deutsch, Hedwig Bleibtreu, Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, Paul Hörbiger, Siegfried Breuer, Trevor Howard, Wilfrid Hyde-White
Academy Award
Best Cinematography (Black-and-White) (Robert Krasker)
Nominations
Best Directing (Carol Reed)
Best Film Editing (Oswald Hafenrichter)
National Board Of Review Award
Top Five Foreign Films
Cannes Film Festival Award
Grand Prize of the Festival
Directors Guild Award Nomination
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures (Carol Reed)
British Academy Award
Best British Film
Nomination
Best Film From Any Source
