Ernst Deutsch, born in 1895 in Prague, is best known for his role in The Third Man (1949), where he plays the enigmatic character of Dr. Winkel. His work in this quintessential film noir captures the tension and moral ambiguity of post-war Vienna, contributing to the film's status as a landmark in cinematic history. Deutsch's career spanned several decades, showcasing his ability to embody complex characters in a variety of genres, making his performance in The Third Man a significant part of cult cinema discourse.
The Third Man
In the post Second World War, the unemployed pulp fiction writer Holly Martins arrives in Vienna to meet with his old friend from school, Harry Lime, who has offered him a job. On the arrival, he learns that Harry has just died, hit by a truck in front of his building, and he goes to his funeral. Holly Martins sees a beautiful woman, Anna Schmidt, and a friend of Harry and sooner he learns that Anna was Harry's lover. Maj. Calloway, who is commanding the investigation, offers the ticket to Holly return home, but while waiting for the trip, he talks to two friends of Harry that tell that they had been the firsts to help his friend. However, the porter of Harry's building tells that there was a mysterious third man that helped Harry and Holly Martins becomes intrigued with the inconsistency and decides to investigate further. Sooner he discloses that Harry Lime was the leader of a gang that robbed penicillin from the military hospital to adulterate and resell it, and has caused the death and anomalies in many children. He continues to investigate and he has a great surprise when he finds who the third man is.
