The Third Man
In postwar Vienna, Austria, Holly Martins, a writer of pulp Westerns, arrives penniless as a guest of his childhood chum Harry Lime, only to learn he has died. 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 Major Calloway, and falling head-over-heels for Harry's grief-stricken lover, Anna.
Critics Sentiment
Harry and Holly meet on the Wiener Riesenrad ferris wheel
Holly learns Harry Lime is dead and attends his funeral
The film peaks dramatically during the ferris wheel confrontation with Harry's cuckoo clock speech, then maintains high tension through the sewer chase finale.
The Third Man builds steadily from its atmospheric opening through mounting mystery and moral complexity. The film reaches its emotional and thematic peak during the iconic ferris wheel scene, then sustains exceptional quality through the thrilling sewer chase to its perfectly executed anti-Hollywood ending. Critics consistently praised the film's visual mastery, performances, and thematic depth throughout.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 27
Joseph Cotten
Holly Martins
Alida Valli
Anna Schmidt
Trevor Howard
Major Calloway
Orson Welles
Harry Lime
Paul Hörbiger
Karl the Porter
Ernst Deutsch
'Baron' Kurtz
Erich Ponto
Dr. Winkel
Siegfried Breuer
Popescu
Hedwig Bleibtreu
Anna's Landlady
Bernard Lee
Sergeant Paine
Wilfrid Hyde-White
Crabbin
Alexis Chesnakov
Col. Brodsky the Russian Liaison Officer (uncredited)
Thomas Gallagher
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Herbert Halbik
Hänsel the Little Boy with Ball (uncredited)
Hannah Norbert
Actress at Josefstadt Theater (uncredited)
Eric Pohlmann
Waiter at Smolka's (uncredited)
Carol Reed
UK Version's Opening Narrator (uncredited)
Annie Rosar
The Porter's Wife (uncredited)
Frederick Schrecker
Hansel's Father (uncredited)
Hugo Schuster
Waiter (uncredited)
Crew
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