The Third Man | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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95 Reviews

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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

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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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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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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

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Audience Reviews

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Jacqueline R It was interesting and has a good twist to it. Rated 4/5 Stars • 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 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/21/24 Full Review William B Must see movie with Welles and Cotten. Two great actors performing one of my favorites mistery movies. Outstanding ending. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review Fer S Unrealistic and the choice of music made no sense. Sounded like it tried to be a comedy movie.But I wanted the mystery to be solved, so I guess it works. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/06/24 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 4/5 Stars • 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 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/31/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

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

The Third Man: Trailer 1

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The Third Man

The Third Man (1949)

Scene from the film THE THIRD MAN.

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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: 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)