How does ‘The Third Man’ represent connotations of Film Noir in the opening scene?

The Third Man, a classic Film-Noir, thriller based film directed by Carol Reed. A beautiful film set in the Italian city of Vienna, being set in the 1940’s after the world war against the up rise of Hitler and his Nazi army, which caused a great depression throughout Europe with their tactical invading across many countries.

However, being a Film-Noir based film, how is it we can tell this. An obvious factor is that it’s in entire black and white throughout, which sets the scene of mystery and sorrow, which is very important for a Film-Noir production.

Firstly, to establish what film noir is in definition, Film Noir is a style or genre of cinematographic film marked by a mood of pessimism, fatalism, and menace. So, it is very easy to spot these connotations in a scene of a film, if they’ve successfully used them.

The Third man is a typical Film Noir production with its intense black and white screening enhancing the mystery within. But, being black and white being the key factor of the evidence of Film Nor due to Film Noir translating from French stating ‘Black film’.

In this shot, a very important key of Film Noir is the enlarged and purposed shadow behind the character. This is regularly used editing technique in film noir based films. This shadow emphasises the mystery of the character of which we’ve only just met, giving a sense of danger towards the audience, who may a develop a second opinion on him.

In this second shot, it’s now from the first character’s perspective, looking up at a house keeper. A second connotation is clearly noted, the use of disorientated lines, with the camera angle on a tilt, and out of line with the decorative building. This technique is use to create a unsettled tension and atmosphere towards the shot, allowing the audience to recognise that the era and theme is uneasy and they might need to prepare for this.

While in the other shot, the male character has a very large shadow stalking behind him, this made him seem as if he is the dominant character. While this second seen, character doesn’t have a shadow at all, this may make him seem more trust worthy or in fact more submissive with in the scene.

In conclusion, The Third Man, is clear example of a Film Noir based film, with all techniques and connotations present throughout only the intro, proceeding throughout the rest of the film. This black and white thriller film, with intense lighting, to tilted shots. Its all there.