The Third Man
Criterion Collection Edition #64
Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, black-market opportunist Harry Lime—and thus begins this legendary tale of love, deception, and murder. Thanks to brilliant performances by Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, and Orson Welles; Anton Karas’s evocative zither score; Graham Greene’s razor-sharp dialogue; and Robert Krasker’s dramatic use of light and shadow, THE THIRD MAN, directed by the inimitable Carol Reed, only grows in stature as the years pass.
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The Third Man
Directed by Carol Reed • 1949 • United Kingdom
Starring Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, Alida ValliPulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, black-market opportunist Harry Lime—and thus begins this l...
Extras
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THE THIRD MAN Commentary 1
In this commentary, recorded in New York City, in 2007, filmmaker Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter Tony Gilroy discuss the style and lasting impact of THE THIRD MAN.
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THE THIRD MAN Commentary 2
Recorded in 2006, this commentary features film scholar Dana Polan.
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THE THIRD MAN Treatment
Novelist Graham Greene composed the first draft of THE THIRD MAN in story form. This abridged version of that treatment, recorded in August 1999, is read here by the late actor Richard Clarke. Clarke’s screen credits include A NIGHT TO REMEMBER (1958) and MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1968).
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Peter Bogdanovich on THE THIRD MAN
The following is an introduction by filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich to THE THIRD MAN.
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Philip Kaufman on THE THIRD MAN
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Shadowing THE THIRD MAN
Frederick Baker’s 2005 documentary SHADOWING “THE THIRD MAN,” narrated by actor John Hurt, explores the “facts” and “fictions” behind the creation of the film, revisits the original locations, and includes an interview with assistant director Guy Hamilton and archival footage of Alexander Korda, ...
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Who Was the Third Man?
For the fiftieth anniversary of the Austrian premiere of THE THIRD MAN, Wien-Kanal (the Vienna Sewer Department) commissioned this documentary, written by Georg Markus and directed by Beate Thalberg. It aired in April 2000 on Austrian and German television and went on to win awards at festivals i...
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THE THIRD MAN on the Radio: “A Ticket to Tangiers”
In 1950, British radio producer Harry Alan Towers persuaded Orson Welles to revive his most popular role in a radio series called “The Lives of Harry Lime.” Each week Lime would recall a different adventure from his colorful past. The episode “A Ticket to Tangiers,” broadcast on August 24, 1951, ...
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THE THIRD MAN on the Radio: “Lux Radio Theatre”
Originally broadcast on April 9, 1951, this “Lux Radio Theatre” adaptation of THE THIRD MAN featured Joseph Cotten, Evelyn Keyes, Ben Wright, Edgar Barrier, David O. Selznick starlet Irene Winston, and Ted de Corsia as Harry Lime. It was presented again on February 8, 1954, with Ray Milland and R...
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THE THIRD MAN: Anton Karas at London’s Empress Club
The following archival footage features THE THIRD MAN composer Anton Karas.
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THE THIRD MAN: In the Underworld of Vienna
The following is archival footage of police in Vienna patrolling the city’s sewers.
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THE THIRD MAN File: Insider Information
The Criterion Collection collaborated with writer Charles Drazin, author of the extensive study “In Search of THE THIRD MAN,” on the production history that accompanies this gallery of rare behind-the-scenes photos. Voice-over actor Robert Webb provides the narration.
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THE THIRD MAN File: U.S. Opening
In the original version of THE THIRD MAN, an unknown narrator introduces the audience to occupied Vienna, his tone worldly and cynical as he alludes to his black-market connections. Producer David O. Selznick had Joseph Cotten rerecord this voice-over as Holly Martins for the American release, om...
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THE THIRD MAN File: UK Opening
In the original, British version of THE THIRD MAN, an unknown narrator (the voice of director Carol Reed) introduces the audience to occupied Vienna. His tone is worldly and cynical as he alludes to his black-market connections.
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THE THIRD MAN File: Kind to Foreigners
The following scenes from THE THIRD MAN were purposefully left untranslated by Carol Reed and Graham Greene to emphasize the American Holly Martins’s confusion in the strange surroundings of postwar Vienna. They are presented here with English subtitles.
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THE THIRD MAN Trailer
