THE THIRD MAN

BBC Two, 12.40pm

Carol Reed confirmed his position as one of Britain’s greatest directors with this film noir, which oozes atmosphere and crackles

with suspense. American writer Holly Martin (Joseph Cotten) is offered a new job in Vienna by his friend Harry (Orson Welles). But upon his arrival, Holly is told that Harry is dead. Refusing to accept this, he begins his own investigation. Reed’s later film The Running Man airs on Monday (see right).

1949, b/w