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The Third Man

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The Third Man

Released Feb 1, 1949

1h 44m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

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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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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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

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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

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

One of those rare birds that improves with subsequent viewings, which is saying a lot since an initial viewing immediately pegs it as a cinematic masterpiece.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 27, 2025

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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

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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

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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

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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

Martin B

Best I've ever seen Cotton. Movies are just always better with Trevor Howard in them and he was terrific in this one. Great yarn, the zither may have been unique at the time and raved about but for my money it was annoying as well as distracting.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

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Studio P

extraordinary scenes, brilliant black and white, fabulous music which I, RIGHT NOW, am replaying in my mind. The sound of it describes the intense space between Cotton and Welles.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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Lionel H

What are the movies ever such a suspenseful intriguing plot and the acting is just top-notch a definite watch for any movie fan.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/15/25

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Gary K

Yes I know it's a classic. Yes I love old movies. No I did not like this film. Weird soundtrack, creepy closeups of background actors. This just didn't do it for me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

Full Review

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Carol Reed

Director

Orson Welles

The Third Man

Joseph Cotten

Holly Martins

Trevor Howard

Major Calloway

Alida Valli

Anna Schmidt

Paul Hoerbiger

Porter

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The Third Man: Trailer 1

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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: London Film Production, British Lion Film Corporation
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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