Third Man Book Vs Movie

There are many differences between the book and the film The Third Man. However, the main film noir ingredients are, to the main degree, the same. And are used to set the scene for the story. Both the book and film create the sense that the main characters, Holly Martin and Harry Lime are hard boiled, disillusioned characters, but are generally likeable. The names themselves infer the type of person they are, Holly Martin, somewhere between Christmas and a bird chirping. Harry Lime, right next to a cemetery, dark and scary! Holly at first introduction is viewed as a “stand up” guy and a friend that can be counted on, only later does he become more hard boiled and cynical. Harry on the other hand, is viewed immediately as somewhat scary, and later in the plot, downright cruel. The character of Holly Martin is the protagonist. …show more content…
Both the film and book are narrated by the main characters Holly and Harry. The difference is that Holly presents the truth and Harry Presents his excuses of “I just couldn’t help it.” The book more than the film has many characters that frame the scenes with crisp, witty, sarcastic dialog fully representative of a film noir presentation. The use of black and white and the authors “voices” in the book, set the scene for paranoia of the main character, Harry. Harry’s mind is bent by his greed and has gone to the dark side and can never go back while alive. Only justice can free him in the end. There is no happy ending here, all characters come to a realization that they have been betrayed, failed themselves, or their country. Film noir ingredients are evident in both the book and film. The book stirs the reader’s mind by causing the visualization of a dark, black and white foggy setting. The film presents the same setting through its use of the dark, black and white imagery. Both set the scene for the