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The Third Man

Released Feb 1, 1949 1h 44m Mystery & Thriller TRAILER for List
99% Tomatometer 96 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Set in postwar Vienna, Austria, "The Third Man" stars Joseph Cotten as Holly Martins, a writer of pulp Westerns, who arrives penniless as a guest of his childhood chum Harry Lime (Orson Welles), only to find him dead. Martins develops a conspiracy theory after learning of a "third man" present at the time of Harry's death, running into interference from British officer Maj. Calloway (Trevor Howard) and falling head-over-heels for Harry's grief-stricken lover, Anna (Alida Valli).
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The Third Man

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Critics Consensus

This atmospheric thriller is one of the undisputed masterpieces of cinema, and boasts iconic performances from Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard L. Coe Washington Post It’s all neatly sewn together and recalls the early Hitchcock spy chasers, The Lady Vanishes and the 39 Steps. The playing is fitted nicely to the director’s and writer’s specifications and there are some appealing portraits limned by Austrian actors. Jul 26, 2022 Full Review Ed Potton Times (UK) Seventy years on such sombreness seems timely, as does Harry Lime, Welles's deliciously elusive antihero. Rated: 5/5 Sep 8, 2019 Full Review Mark Feeney Boston Globe Krasker's camera reveals a dank, matte, defeated city - so dully vivid as to be a character unto itself - except that this Vienna becomes something altogether different seen at night or underground. Rated: 4/4 Aug 6, 2015 Full Review Brian Susbielles InSession Film In a film born out of rebuilding the future, Green, Reed, and the entire cast produce the fatalism of idealism of what a just world should have been, but that this life is, as always, a zero-sum game. Rated: A+ Sep 4, 2024 Full Review Calum Cooper Cinerama Film Seamless in its entertainment factor and compelling long after the end credits roll, The Third Man is a cornerstone of British cinema and will be considered as such for generations to come. Rated: 5/5 Sep 3, 2024 Full Review Tom Spoors Loud and Clear Reviews The director, Carol Reed, weaves together various cinematic techniques to create an almost entirely unique experience, one that at times, almost feels like a showreel for what can be accomplished in the medium of film. Rated: 5/5 Sep 3, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jacqueline R It was interesting and has a good twist to it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/21/24 Full Review Lam N the choice for music is baffling. really takes you out of the movie. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/21/24 Full Review Mason M One of the defining noir films, The Third Man was a great film that kept me quite engaged the whole time. It's a delight to see the mystery being put together through the amazing writing. The highlight of this film was definitely the last part with the thrilling sewer chase and haunting final shot. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/13/24 Full Review Ted B 3.5 stars; This was my third time seeing The Third Man. Each time I see it, I appreciate it as a classic a little bit more. I truly love the cinematography, and the music is haunting. I guess I'm just not that sophisticated at movie critique. Just about any reference to this film features the iconic performance of Orson Welles. I guess I missed the point. To me, Joseph Cotten was the star. Mr. Welles did not show up until two-thirds of the way through the movie. Trevor Howard and Alida Valli played more significant roles. Carol Reed and Graham Greene should also be lauded for their contributions to this classic. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/31/24 Full Review Lars N Both plot and cinematography is beautifully strung together. it's easy to see why it's a classic Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/24/24 Full Review Chris L Before colour. Before Orson Welles went loopy. A classic film everyone should see at least once. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Set in postwar Vienna, Austria, "The Third Man" stars Joseph Cotten as Holly Martins, a writer of pulp Westerns, who arrives penniless as a guest of his childhood chum Harry Lime (Orson Welles), only to find him dead. Martins develops a conspiracy theory after learning of a "third man" present at the time of Harry's death, running into interference from British officer Maj. Calloway (Trevor Howard) and falling head-over-heels for Harry's grief-stricken lover, Anna (Alida Valli).
Director
Carol Reed
Producer
Alexander Korda, Carol Reed, David O. Selznick
Screenwriter
Graham Greene, Alexander Korda, Graham Greene
Distributor
Spiegel Media GmbH, Continental Home Vídeo [br], Warner Home Vídeo, Selznick International Pictures, British Lion Films Ltd., Vintage Video
Production Co
British Lion Film Corporation, London Film Production
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 1, 1949, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$447.0K
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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