The Third Man

Name: The Third Man
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Film-Noir
Released: September 3, 1949
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 97
Cast: Alida Valli, Bernard Lee, Erich Ponto, Ernst Deutsch, Joseph Cotten

1949

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 110 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 110 Ratings

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The Third Man

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Movie Details & Credits

British Lion Film Corporation | Release Date: September 3, 1949 | Approved

Starring: Alida Valli, Bernard Lee, Erich Ponto, Ernst Deutsch, Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, Paul Hörbiger, Siegfried Breuer, Trevor Howard, Wilfrid Hyde-White

Summary: Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, Harry Lime.

Director: Carol Reed

Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Film-Noir

Rating: Approved

Runtime: 104 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

David Ansen

But the thing about Carol Reed's 1949 The Third Man was that no matter how many times I saw it over the years its magic never failed. Its sophisticated, world-weary glamour never lost its allure. The movie only got richer as my own experiences got richer. I kept discovering dark new delights, and the classic moments remained every bit as classic. Read full review

100

Michael Wilmington

The Third Man is a film where everything works: script, direction, the performances of Welles, Cotten, Trevor Howard (the cynical police major) and Alida Valli (the enigmatic traveler), Robert Krasker's flamboyantly tilted black-and-white cinematography and the unforgettably spare and haunting zither score by Anton Karas. [5 Sept 1996, p.6]

100

Roger Ebert

Of all the movies I have seen, this one most completely embodies the romance of going to the movies. Read full review

100

Staff (Not Credited)

Riddled with post-war despair, The Third Man is one of the great British movies. The zither music, the noirish cinematography, the taut writing and the raft of excellent performances combine in an engrossing thriller that matches America's finest. Read full review

100

Jeff Baker

It's an exciting experience, dazzling and entertaining and thought-provoking. I saw it at Cinema 21 last week and immediately wanted to see it again. I couldn't, so I started researching and read everything I could about it. It's truly great. Read full review

100

The Guardian Philip French

A noir classic. Read full review

Richard Brody

A peculiarly hollow, centerless blend of theatre and literature, from which what’s missing, for the most part (though not entirely), is precisely the cinema...It isn’t so much that The Third Man is a bad movie—far from it. But it’s far from being a great one, too. Read full review

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User Reviews

peregrine

Feb 13, 2019

Some of the greatest individual scenes in the history of film, for example, the journey of the cat across the street, the view from the ferris wheel, Harry Lime's fingers sticking through the rain gutter. A real masterpiece of acting, screenwriting, and cinematography.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

dmturner

Jul 29, 2020

All-time classic great mystery with fantastic post-war Vennia. It uses of lighting was groundbreaking at the time and is still amazing today. You can't call yourself a film-buff if you haven't seen this masterpiece

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FelicityFenwick

Aug 19, 2018

Easily one of my all-time favorites. I mean, Orson Welles isn't in a ton of this movie, yet his moments pierce into you like nothing else!

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Mahmus

Aug 22, 2019

Orson Welles gives a scene-stealing performance in this gorgeous looking noir mystery.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Compi24

Jun 10, 2020

Another legendary picture that I'm — mostly — regretting not seeing sooner, Carol Reed's "The Third Man" might be the benchmark film noir in terms of pacing and structure, with a first and second act that unfolds in a deliberate, yet engrossing manner and a relentless finale that leaves youAnother legendary picture that I'm — mostly — regretting not seeing sooner, Carol Reed's "The Third Man" might be the benchmark film noir in terms of pacing and structure, with a first and second act that unfolds in a deliberate, yet engrossing manner and a relentless finale that leaves you absolutely speechless. These narrative attributes are thanks in no small part to master storyteller and novelist Graham Greene, who penned the film's screenplay. This is a project that takes great pride in its slow burn approach, offering up a veneer of normalcy to the viewer, but with little nuances in the dialogue, tonality and camerawork to let you know something's not quite right here. Once the reveals come, though, I'll say I had a consistently pervasive smile on my face. Any and every scene with Orson Welles is nothing short of iconic. That's not to take away from Joseph Cotten's commendable lead turn. It's just that, with the way the movie sets everything up involving Welles character, you really can't help but leave the screening remembering every scene involving him. And, while I will admit that I personally didn't care for the score (it is admittedly good music, but I also felt it didn't really fit the tone and mood of the film overall), this is still a fantastic watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CodyZamboni

Jul 20, 2019

Stylish classic noir features Orson Welles' most appealing performance. Post War Vienna, doesn't look pretty. A city filled with schemers and criminals, who populate its' dark alleys and sewers. Morals go out the window in this sordid environment, which is part of the movies attraction.Stylish classic noir features Orson Welles' most appealing performance. Post War Vienna, doesn't look pretty. A city filled with schemers and criminals, who populate its' dark alleys and sewers. Morals go out the window in this sordid environment, which is part of the movies attraction. Only drawback is the movie's deliberate pace. But once it achieves take off speed, there is so much fun to be had.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AJ_13

Apr 22, 2022

I wasn't hooked by The Third Man until Orson Welles' first appearance (in a brilliant scene by the way). Performances and screenplay were OK and the score was cute but absolutely anticlimatic for me.
Its most remarkable achievements are the persecution's staging, the stunning cinematographyI wasn't hooked by The Third Man until Orson Welles' first appearance (in a brilliant scene by the way). Performances and screenplay were OK and the score was cute but absolutely anticlimatic for me.
Its most remarkable achievements are the persecution's staging, the stunning cinematography and uso of light/shadows, and a great ending.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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