A wonderful depiction of post WW-2 Vienna amongst the ruins and ravages of war. It captures the feel of a post-wartime place at a time of despair better than any other. The B/W film is masterfully done and the shadows create an aura of uncertainty and anticipation. The corruption shown is realistic and the entrance of Orson Welles as the corrupt Harry Lime captures the entire movie’s attention along with the haunting zither music of Anton Karras. The performances of Jospeh Cotton, as an American author, and Alida Valli, a refugee of sorts, are outstanding in the film. I watch it every time it comes on TV.