The story starts in post war Vienna divided into many sectors by allies. Vienna encounters shortage of supplies due to which black market trade flourishes well. Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) arrives to Vienna on his friend Harry Lime’s (Orson Welles) request. Soon after reaching Vienna he learns that his friend has died in a car accident and attends his funeral. In the funeral he sees two middle aged men and a pretty woman . He gets different versions of Harry ’s death from Harry’s friends . Being suspicious he investigates Harry’s murder. He stumbles upon a stunning discovery regarding his friend’s death.