The Third Man

In Carol Reed's British noir classic 'The Third Man,' an American writer named Holly Martins travels to post-World War II Vienna, which is divided into sectors by the victorious allies. There he gets caught up in a dangerous investigation of his friend, who's suspected of selling diluted penicillin on the black market.

• It's listed as British Film Institute's greatest British film of the 20th century.
• Orson Welles' famous speech was largely self-written.
• The famous sewer scenes were largely filmed on a studio set.
• Much of the film was shot on location in war-torn Vienna.
• Carol Reed, the director, reportedly worked 20-hour days during production.

• In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder, bloodshed. They produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love, 500 years of democracy and peace. And what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.
• Don't be so gloomy. After all, it's not that awful. Remember what the fellow said: In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock. So long, Holly.
• You know what the fellow said – in Italy, for thirty years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love, they had five hundred years of democracy and peace – and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.
• I never knew the old Vienna before the war with its Strauss music, its glamour and easy charm. Constantinople suited me better.
• You were born to be murdered.