How does Carol Reed use, develop and challenge thriller conventions in The Third Man?

'Film Noir' is a reference to a film period that began in the 1940s, continuing respectably until the 1950s. The genre in particular relates to Hollywood crime movies and uses minimalist black and white shots, shadowing to create a feeling of menace and clear establishment of the " bad" characters. Carol Reed's The Third Man shows many thriller conventions throughout the storyline, rightfully earning it's place as the best box office hit of the year and title as " one of the greatest films of all time".

Supporting classical thriller conventions- shadowing
against the building indicates suspense and threat.

The Third Man ( 1949) is in fact a British film, which, considering that Film Noir was viewed as primarily American cinema, introduces audiences to a new setting that potentially allows locations to be an influencing factor in regard of surroundings, history and culture. In addition, the film is memorable in particular for it's significant praise involving performances and musical score. In regard to the importance of soundtracks, the musical composition ' Harry Line Theme' presents a cheerful, uplifting contrast to the noticeably sinister themes. Such a difference in mood and tone is effective at representing generally " good" characters, because we are instantly aware of their intentions. If, for example, the piece was uninviting and heavy, the audience would assume the character had the role of a threatening antagonist and would no doubt later plot actions against another person or group. Generally, a soundtrack is always used in most thriller films to indicate events which are to follow; for instance, 'panic or 'attack'' could be demonstrated by jumpy, high pitched music, whereas soft, fluent pieces are easily recognizable as assurance of kindness . As the composition slowly comes to an end, the innocent humming of Holly Martin abruptly replaces it, which takes us back to the story and away from the intensity of the previous music.  In relation to the importance of a soundtrack, some films which are not actually included in the thriller genre use similar methods to create an identical effect. Some Like It Hot ( 1959, starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) focuses on the situation two jazz band players find themselves in after accidentally witnessing the St Valentines Massacre in Chicago- just the name of the city makes links to Al Capone, who resided here during 1920s America and is a well-known gangster figure. Despite it's classification as the " greatest American comedy of all time", there are various scenes which depict similar tension as The Third Man. Upon the arrival of Spat's group at a Florida hotel the two characters have visited, sinister music begins to compliment the imagery of his polished shoes. Instantly, the light hearted comedic style is eliminated.




 

The end graveyard scene suggests closure in a sentimental fashion
through a distant figure, scattering leaves
( a peaceful asset) and a long shot.
.

 Equally as influential to the thriller formation,    the graveyard scene featured in the Third  Man  demonstrates how the natural rustling of  trees in   turn, create noticeable light  alternation. This single shot adds an emphasis  of a purposefully caused death, and secrecy.  Another scene ( the approaching train) again  perfectly captures a Film Noir type shot,  complete with intense block black for a close  up of the  machine and smoky mist as fumes.