The Third Man Overview:

The Third Man (1949) was a Film Noir - Mystery Film directed by Carol Reed and produced by Carol Reed, David O. Selznick, Alexander Korda and Hugh Perceval.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Graham Greene published in 1949.

Academy Awards 1950 --- Ceremony Number 23 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best CinematographyRobert KraskerWon
Best DirectorCarol ReedNominated
Best Film EditingOswald HafenrichterNominated
.

BlogHub Articles:

Joseph Cotten searches for “The Third Man” in Postwar Vienna

By Stephen Reginald on Jul 11, 2023 From Classic Movie Man

Joseph Cotten searches for “The Third Man” in Postwar Vienna The Third Man (1949) is a British film noir directed by Carol Reed and starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, and Trevor Howard. The film’s screenplay was written by Graham Greene. The film focuses on Ho... Read full article


The Third Man

By Barry P. on Dec 4, 2022 From Cinematic Catharsis

(1949) Directed by Carol Reed; Screenplay by Graham Greene; Based on a novella by Graham Greene; Starring: Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, Trevor Howard, Paul H?rbiger, Ernst Deutsch, Erich Ponto; Available on Blu-ray and DVD Rating: ***** “Carol Reed is the kind of director who&... Read full article


The Third Man At 70

By 4 Star Film Fan on Oct 16, 2019 From 4 Star Films

Oh, how I love The?Third Man (or The 3rd Man). Regardless of how you write it, Carol Reed‘s post-war noir is one of those special films that was a case of love at first sight.? I knew some of the reasons already, but watching the film with a friend (on his first viewing) teased them out even m... Read full article


The Third Man (1949): Out of the Rubble

By 4 Star Film Fan on Nov 2, 2017 From 4 Star Films

Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love – they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? T... Read full article


The Third Man (1949): Out of the Rubble

By 4 Star Film Fan on Nov 2, 2017 From 4 Star Films

Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love – they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? T... Read full article


See all The Third Man articles

Quotes from

Harry Lime: Don't be so gloomy. After all it's not that awful. Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock. So long Holly.


Anna Schmidt: You know, you ought to get yourself a girl.


Martins: Have you ever seen any of your victims?
Harry Lime: You know, I never feel comfortable on these sort of things. Victims? Don't be melodramatic. Look down there. Tell me. Would you really feel any pity if one of those dots stopped moving forever? If I offered you twenty thousand pounds for every dot that stopped, would you really, old man, tell me to keep my money, or would you calculate how many dots you could afford to spare? Free of income tax, old man. Free of income tax - the only way you can save money nowadays.


read more quotes from The Third Man...

Facts about

Although David O. Selznick theoretically produced, the rest of the crew hated him and his ideas (he suggested once to Graham Greene that the film be called "Night Time in Vienna").
The tunnels featured in this film are part of the Wienkanal, which channels the Wien River through central Vienna out to the Danube River. The main tunnel is the huge arched structure through which the river flows a distance of about 1.6km. The gated side passages are connections to a wet weather sewer overflow, and the chamber with the balconies is the overflow point. The spiral staircase is one of 6 exits from the main culvert. Tours are run through the system on a daily basis. Events are occasionally held down the tunnels in commemoration of the film and its characters.
Once he finally arrived in Vienna, Orson Welles refused to film various scenes in the sewers. Due to his protests, various sets replicating the Vienna sewers had to be constructed by Alexander Korda on sound-stages back in England.
read more facts about The Third Man...
Share this page:
Visit the Classic Movie Hub Blog CMH
book or play


See All Film Adaptations >>
Best Cinematography Oscar 1950











See more Academy Awards>>
Also directed by Carol Reed




More about Carol Reed >>
Also produced by Carol Reed




More about Carol Reed >>
Related Lists
Create a list




See All Related Lists >>
Also released in 1949




See All 1949 films >>
More "Book-Based" films



See All "Book-Based" films >>
More "Mistaken Identity" films



See All "Mistaken Identity" films >>