Carol Reed

Much respected author Graham Greene once wrote that “[if Reed] gets the right script, [he] will prove far more than efficient.” This proved to be a very accurate prediction as the young British director went on to make several successful and thrilling movies, even collaborating with Greene later in his career during the making of The Third Man. By this stage Greene had decided that he was “getting terribly bored with... everybody except Carol who gets nicer and nicer on acquaintance.”

In fact, it was perhaps his likeability and modesty that led him to work well as a member of a filmmaking team and, in-turn, made him into a skilled director. Along with Third Man, Reed oversaw films that ignited British public interest, and even more remarkable at the time, impressed American crowds too. Hits like Odd Man Out and Fallen Idol were road marks on his way to the top, and again in keeping with his modest personality, may be more renowned today for their actors than there director, who made sure to not hog the limelight like some of his more recognizable peers. James Mason in particular was impressive and his work with Reed made him a familiar face in 1940s and 50s Hollywood.
 

Reed’s modesty is very evident in Third Man as well, which is undoubtedly his biggest hit. Rather than Reed the overbearing director, other aspects of the film are most memorable. Not only Orson Welles’ wonderful cameo, but also, and perhaps even more so, war-torn Vienna. Rather than getting in the way, Reed worked to emphasize the fabulous chosen location.

Carol Reed is underrated director who films are far more renowned than their maker; but that is not because of his level of skill but his modesty, which nowadays is easy to appreciate.
 

FEATURES ARCHIVE (2010)

FEATURES ARCHIVE (2009)

FEATURES ARCHIVES Through 2008