The turbulent grounds of post-war Germany set the stage for this thriller amidst a politically divided Berlin. In many ways a companion piece to The Third Man, this underestimated game of deception (starring James Mason!) is a masterful realization of a city as chessboard of escape and pursuit.

In honor of director Carol Reed’s birthday we’re showing his most beloved film and arguably the greatest British film ever made, alongside a lesser known gem to discover. But start with this post-war noir classic adapted from Graham Greene: It’s both a gripping mystery and an exposé of modern evil.