The Third Man (1949)

On the set: Carol Reed and Orson Welles

Odd Man Out (1947)

On the set: Carol Reed and James Mason

Odd Man Out (1947)

A wounded Irish nationalist leader attempts to evade police following a failed robbery.

Very comparable to Reed's later masterpiece The Third Man, this a brilliant existentialist drama that fascinates with its Expressionist photography, the Belfast settings and a great cast, especially James Mason in the lead role.

Halliwell***: "Superbly crafted but rather empty dramatic charade, visually and emotionally memorable but with nothing whatever to say."

Maltin****: "Incredibly suspenseful tale...Watch this one!"

New acquisition: Odd Man Out (1947)

A special one in the Noir series: Odd Man Out can very well be compared with Carol Reed's The Third Man: another masterpiece (if I remember correctly).

The Third Man (1949)

A pulp novelist travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend,  a black-market opportunist.

A true classic, meticulously executed post-war drama with extraordinary expressionist cinematography and a plot which echoes on many levels.

On another view: have nothing to add; it's a joy to watch this movie every so often.

Halliwell****: "Totally memorable and irresistible romantic thriller. Stylish from the first to the last, with inimitable backgrounds of zither music and war-torn buildings pointing up a then-topical black market story full of cynical characters but not without humour. Hitchcock with feeling, if you like."

Maltin****: "...a bona fide classic..."