Joseph Cotton and Orson Welles

Discover great deals on the many hard to find and one of a kind items available only on ebay!


This site contains sponsored affiliate links.

The Third Man

The Third Man (1949) is a film noir directed by Carol Reed. The screenplay was written by novelist Graham Greene. Greene wrote a novella of the same name in preparation for the screenplay, and this was published in 1950. more...

HomeHome
ActionAction
Art FilmsArt Films
ClassicsClassics
12 Angry Men12 Angry Men
All About EveAll About Eve
Ben-HurBen-Hur
Butch Cassidy and the...Butch Cassidy and the...
CasablancaCasablanca
Citizen KaneCitizen Kane
City LightsCity Lights
Double IndemnityDouble Indemnity
Dr. StrangeloveDr. Strangelove
Duck SoupDuck Soup
For a Few Dollars MoreFor a Few Dollars More
Gone with the WindGone with the Wind
High NoonHigh Noon
It Happened One NightIt Happened One Night
It's a Wonderful LifeIt's a Wonderful Life
Kind Hearts and CoronetsKind Hearts and Coronets
Lawrence of ArabiaLawrence of Arabia
Metropolis movieMetropolis movie
Modern TimesModern Times
Mr. Smith Goes to WashingtonMr. Smith Goes to Washington
Nights of CabiriaNights of Cabiria
North by NorthwestNorth by Northwest
NotoriousNotorious
On the WaterfrontOn the Waterfront
Once Upon a Time in the WestOnce Upon a Time in the West
Paths of GloryPaths of Glory
PsychoPsycho
RashomonRashomon
Rear WindowRear Window
RebeccaRebecca
Shadow of a DoubtShadow of a Doubt
Shichinin no samuraiShichinin no samurai
Singin' in the RainSingin' in the Rain
Some Like It Hot Some Like It Hot
Stalag 17Stalag 17
Strangers on a TrainStrangers on a Train
Sunset BoulevardSunset Boulevard
The Adventures of Robin HoodThe Adventures of Robin Hood
The African QueenThe African Queen
The Best Years of Our LivesThe Best Years of Our Lives
The Bicycle ThiefThe Bicycle Thief
The Big SleepThe Big Sleep
The Bridge on the River KwaiThe Bridge on the River Kwai
The Gold RushThe Gold Rush
The Good, the Bad and the...The Good, the Bad and the...
The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath
The Great DictatorThe Great Dictator
The Great EscapeThe Great Escape
The Maltese FalconThe Maltese Falcon
The Night of the HunterThe Night of the Hunter
The Philadelphia StoryThe Philadelphia Story
The Seven SamuraiThe Seven Samurai
The Seventh SealThe Seventh Seal
The Third ManThe Third Man
The Treasure of the...The Treasure of the...
The Wages of FearThe Wages of Fear
The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of Oz
To Kill a MockingbirdTo Kill a Mockingbird
Touch of EvilTouch of Evil
VertigoVertigo
Witness for the ProsecutionWitness for the Prosecution
YojimboYojimbo
ComedyComedy
DocumentaryDocumentary
DramaDrama
HorrorHorror
Movie PropsMovie Props
Sci-Fi / FantasySci-Fi / Fantasy

Plot

Overview

The story is set in a bomb-damaged Vienna, just after the Second World War, and is told from the point of view of a mildly successful pulp author, Holly Martins, who is searching for his schoolfriend Harry Lime who had invited him to visit.

Synopsis

At the beginning of the film, Martins discovers that his old friend Harry Lime, whom he had not seen in several years, has been killed in an accident under mysterious circumstances just prior to Martins' arrival in Vienna. He finds that there was more to Lime than he knew and that he was accused of being a black market racketeer, trafficking in poor quality penicillin. Martins is told that Lime was struck by a truck while crossing a street. On several accounts, two of Lime's friends carried Lime's body off the street after the accident. All eyewitnesses to the accident happen to be friends or associates of Lime, including the driver. Martins' investigation leads to another eyewitness not associated with Lime who claims that there was a third man who helped carry Lime's body. It is this "third man", Joseph Harbin, to whom the title of the film (which is essentially an elaborate MacGuffin) refers. A somewhat more hypothetical interpretation is that Harry Lime is the "third man", because they could as well have used the accident to kill Harbin.

Alternate version

The US version of The Third Man emphasizes Holly Martins' point of view rather than a racketeer's as shown in the UK version. This change was made by David O. Selznick, who did not think American audiences would relate to the seedy tone of the original. Most noticeably in the UK version, the opening monologue, spoken by Reed himself , was re-recorded for the US release by Joseph Cotten (Holly Martins).

Adaptation of the source material

Before writing the screenplay, Greene worked out the atmosphere, characterization and mood of the story by writing a novella. This was written purely to be used as a source text for the screenplay and was never intended to be read by the general public, although it was later published (alongside The Fallen Idol).

The narrator in the novella is Col. Calloway, a policeman, which gives the book a slightly different emphasis from the screenplay. A small portion of his narration (given to Martins in the American release, and to an unidentified, unseen and never-returned-to character voiced by Reed in the British release) is retained in a modified form at the very beginning of the movie, the part in which a voice-over declaims: "I never knew the old Vienna..."

Other differences include the nationality of both Martins and Lime; they are English in the book. Martins' first name is Rollo rather than Holly. Popescu's character is an American called Cooler.

Perhaps the fundamental difference is the end of the novella, in which it is implied that Anna and Rollo (Holly) are about to begin a new life together, in stark contrast to the unmistakable snub by Anna that makes the end of the movie so memorable. Anna does walk away from Lime's grave in the book, but the text continues: "I watched him striding off on his overgrown legs after the girl. He caught her up and they walked side by side. I don't think he said a word to her: it was like the end of a story. He was a very bad shot and a very bad judge of character, but he had a way with Westerns (a trick of tension) and with girls (I wouldn't know what)." In some prints of the film, the last few seconds have been deleted to try to conceal the snub and manufacture the happy ending of the book.

Style

The atmospheric use of black and white cinematography (by Robert Krasker), harsh lighting and distorted camera angles, combined with the unique musical theme and excellent performances from the cast, all serve to convey the atmosphere of post-War Vienna, creating the tension inherent in the story, and making this one of Reed's best-loved films.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]

The Third Man: The Criterion Collection Dvd- Special Edition- Brand New, SealedThe Third Man: The Criterion Collection Dvd- Special Edition- Brand New, Sealed $60.00 The Third Man Signed Film Script X4 Joseph Cotten Orson Welles Trevor Howard RptThe Third Man Signed Film Script X4 Joseph Cotten Orson Welles Trevor Howard Rpt $19.99
The Third Man Dvd *Pristine* Carol Reed, Hedwig Bleibtreu, Orson WellesThe Third Man Dvd *Pristine* Carol Reed, Hedwig Bleibtreu, Orson Welles $10.95 The Third Man [Vhs 1985] 1949 Orson Wells, Joseph Cotton, Trevor HowardThe Third Man [Vhs 1985] 1949 Orson Wells, Joseph Cotton, Trevor Howard $5.99
The Third Man - Starring Orson Wells - Vintage Film Noir Movie Poster 1949The Third Man - Starring Orson Wells - Vintage Film Noir Movie Poster 1949 $14.98 to New ListingOrson Welles Movie The Third Man World War 2 Vienna Harry Lime Theme Anton KarasNew ListingOrson Welles Movie The Third Man World War 2 Vienna Harry Lime Theme Anton Karas $14.99
The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949)The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949) $11.99 Joseph Cotten Photo the third man film movie photographJoseph Cotten Photo the third man film movie photograph $12.95Buy It Now
The Third Man Blu-ray 1949 Orson Welles Carol Reed Excellent Condition OopThe Third Man Blu-ray 1949 Orson Welles Carol Reed Excellent Condition Oop $6.99 The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949) Rare Out Of Print NewThe Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949) Rare Out Of Print New $14.99
The Third Man Graham Greene 1949/1999 Penguin Reissue Pb Movie Tie In Cover ExlnThe Third Man Graham Greene 1949/1999 Penguin Reissue Pb Movie Tie In Cover Exln $14.99 StudioCanal Vintage Classics - The Third Man Blu-ray w/ Slipcover - Orson WellesStudioCanal Vintage Classics - The Third Man Blu-ray w/ Slipcover - Orson Welles $25.95
Third Man On The Mountain original Disney lobby card movie poster Michael RennieThird Man On The Mountain original Disney lobby card movie poster Michael Rennie $39.99 Elvira’s Movie Macabre Theme Song Black Belles 7” 45 Third Man Records Tmr-062Elvira’s Movie Macabre Theme Song Black Belles 7” 45 Third Man Records Tmr-062 $55.00
3 - 1940s Movies Dvd: The Third Man, The Bride Goes Wild, The Great Ziegfeld3 - 1940s Movies Dvd: The Third Man, The Bride Goes Wild, The Great Ziegfeld $17.00 White Stripes Dvds ~ 8 Movies Jack Concert Films Third Man Vault ~ Like New!White Stripes Dvds ~ 8 Movies Jack Concert Films Third Man Vault ~ Like New! $19.99
The Third Man Postcard Movie Poster 1949 Unp ContinentalThe Third Man Postcard Movie Poster 1949 Unp Continental $5.00 Third Man Records Dvd Lot Raconteurs Live At The Ryman White Heat Van Lear RoseThird Man Records Dvd Lot Raconteurs Live At The Ryman White Heat Van Lear Rose $60.00
The Third Man Very Rare Movie Chirashi Postcard Orig R1976 Japan Release Nm-MtThe Third Man Very Rare Movie Chirashi Postcard Orig R1976 Japan Release Nm-Mt $57.00 The Third Man Very Very Rare Movie Chirashi Handbill Orig 16mm R1984 Japan Nm-MtThe Third Man Very Very Rare Movie Chirashi Handbill Orig 16mm R1984 Japan Nm-Mt $57.00
The Third Man [Used Very Good Blu-ray] Dolby, Subtitled, WidescreenThe Third Man [Used Very Good Blu-ray] Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen $16.66 The Third Man: 3 Full Length Episodes DvdThe Third Man: 3 Full Length Episodes Dvd $4.30
The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949)-*Case Is Falling Apart*The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949)-*Case Is Falling Apart* $9.98 The Third Man Official Story of the Film John Walsh Titan Books New SealedThe Third Man Official Story of the Film John Walsh Titan Books New Sealed $40.00
The third man Orson Welles Joseph Cotten movie poster print 4The third man Orson Welles Joseph Cotten movie poster print 4 $6.49 C1940's German Movie program Lot, Rebecca, Third Man, American In ParisC1940's German Movie program Lot, Rebecca, Third Man, American In Paris $28.00
Classic movie Bundle 9-Dvd English Japanese Oz Rebecca Third Man.Like NewClassic movie Bundle 9-Dvd English Japanese Oz Rebecca Third Man.Like New $50.00 The Third Man Very Rare Local Cinema Movie Charishi Handbill R1976 Japan Nm-MtThe Third Man Very Rare Local Cinema Movie Charishi Handbill R1976 Japan Nm-Mt $38.00
The Third Man - Original 1949 Movie Photo - Welles - CottenThe Third Man - Original 1949 Movie Photo - Welles - Cotten $30.00 The Third Man Limited Edition Steelbook w/ Booklet (4K Uhd+Blu-ray+Digital)The Third Man Limited Edition Steelbook w/ Booklet (4K Uhd+Blu-ray+Digital) $70.00
New The Third Man SteelBook Blu-ray Uk Zavvi Exclusive [1949] - Ships Next DayNew The Third Man SteelBook Blu-ray Uk Zavvi Exclusive [1949] - Ships Next Day $89.99 The Third Man: 3 Tv Episodes - Dvd Harry Lime - Michael Rennie Jonathan HarrisThe Third Man: 3 Tv Episodes - Dvd Harry Lime - Michael Rennie Jonathan Harris $3.46
Dead Weather Hang You From The Heavens 7" Picture Sleeve Third Man RecordsDead Weather Hang You From The Heavens 7" Picture Sleeve Third Man Records $4.00 The Third Man Volume 1 Dvd – Digitally Remastered. Television ClassicsThe Third Man Volume 1 Dvd – Digitally Remastered. Television Classics $4.99
The Third Man [New Dvd]The Third Man [New Dvd] $16.73 The Third Man Japanese Import Video High Density Vhd Disc Movie Orson WellesThe Third Man Japanese Import Video High Density Vhd Disc Movie Orson Welles $49.99
Third Man On The Mountain (Mod) (Dvd Movie)Third Man On The Mountain (Mod) (Dvd Movie) $24.46 The Third Man (SteelBook)(4K Ultra Hd)The Third Man (SteelBook)(4K Ultra Hd) $77.99
The Third Man Movie Film Noir Mystery Thriller Wall Art Home - Poster 20"x30"The Third Man Movie Film Noir Mystery Thriller Wall Art Home - Poster 20"x30" $23.99 The third man 1949 Orson Welles Joseph Cotten movie poster reprint 18x12inThe third man 1949 Orson Welles Joseph Cotten movie poster reprint 18x12in $6.99
The Third Man (Blu-ray) (Uk Import)The Third Man (Blu-ray) (Uk Import) $10.00 The Third Man [New Blu-ray] Dolby, Subtitled, WidescreenThe Third Man [New Blu-ray] Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen $17.85
The Third Man Vhs Orson Welles Crown Movie Classics 1949 Brand New (Sealed)The Third Man Vhs Orson Welles Crown Movie Classics 1949 Brand New (Sealed) $4.92 Orson Welles Joseph Cotten Photo the third man FilmOrson Welles Joseph Cotten Photo the third man Film $12.95
The Third Man (1949) Blu-ray • Studio Canal Collection - Orson Wells - NewThe Third Man (1949) Blu-ray • Studio Canal Collection - Orson Wells - New $15.99 Orson Welles The 3rd Man Unrated Region Free DvdOrson Welles The 3rd Man Unrated Region Free Dvd $7.50
8x10 Print Joseph Cotton The Third Man 1949 #26498x10 Print Joseph Cotton The Third Man 1949 #2649 $12.99 Third Man Out (Dvd, 2005)Third Man Out (Dvd, 2005) $10.81
The Third Man Vhs Tape 1949 Noir/Thriller Orson Welles 1995 Release Ships FreeThe Third Man Vhs Tape 1949 Noir/Thriller Orson Welles 1995 Release Ships Free $10.00 The Third Man (Region B Blu-ray)The Third Man (Region B Blu-ray) $14.00
In Search Of The Third ManIn Search Of The Third Man $18.06 The Third Man [Blu-ray] Brand New (Sealed)-Free Shipping with TrackingThe Third Man [Blu-ray] Brand New (Sealed)-Free Shipping with Tracking $22.09
Walt Disney: Third Man on the Mountain (Dvd 1959) Swiss Alps Adventure M. RennieWalt Disney: Third Man on the Mountain (Dvd 1959) Swiss Alps Adventure M. Rennie $24.99 The Third Man - Carol Reed Criterion Collection Dvd 1949 B&W Movie Orson WellesThe Third Man - Carol Reed Criterion Collection Dvd 1949 B&W Movie Orson Welles $18.27
The Third Man Vhs Tape 1949 Noir / Thriller 80's Crown Movie Classics ReleaseThe Third Man Vhs Tape 1949 Noir / Thriller 80's Crown Movie Classics Release $8.29 The Third Man Vintage Orson Welles Movie PosterThe Third Man Vintage Orson Welles Movie Poster $9.99 to
The Third Man, film card [Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, Alida Valli]The Third Man, film card [Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, Alida Valli] $2.50 The Third Man (Laserdisc) Criterion Orson Welles Great Film Clv Rare!The Third Man (Laserdisc) Criterion Orson Welles Great Film Clv Rare! $8.99
Vintage Orson Welles The Third Man '48 Classic Publicity PortraitVintage Orson Welles The Third Man '48 Classic Publicity Portrait $75.96 Orson Wells as Harry Lime in "The Third Man: Film Noir~ Original Art by BryantOrson Wells as Harry Lime in "The Third Man: Film Noir~ Original Art by Bryant $17.95
The Third Man by Carol Reed [New, Dvd forma] - Criterion CollectionThe Third Man by Carol Reed [New, Dvd forma] - Criterion Collection $49.00 The 3Rd Man Movie Poster *2X3 Fridge Magnet* Joseph Cotton Orson Welles ThirdThe 3Rd Man Movie Poster *2X3 Fridge Magnet* Joseph Cotton Orson Welles Third $8.95
The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949, B&W, StudioCanal Collection) O Welles, Rare OopThe Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949, B&W, StudioCanal Collection) O Welles, Rare Oop $17.10 The Third ManThe Third Man $14.99
The Third Man 1949 (Dvd, 1999, Criterion Collection)The Third Man 1949 (Dvd, 1999, Criterion Collection) $19.98 The Third Man: The Official Story of the Film by John Walsh Hardcover BookThe Third Man: The Official Story of the Film by John Walsh Hardcover Book $48.43
New Sealed Blue-Ray The Third Man Restored B&W from the 1949 ThrillerNew Sealed Blue-Ray The Third Man Restored B&W from the 1949 Thriller $14.69 Third Man Graham Green Carol Reed Film Script 1st Edition Illustrated MovieThird Man Graham Green Carol Reed Film Script 1st Edition Illustrated Movie $59.96
The Third Man - Blockbuster Video Shelf Backer Card 5.5"X8" *No MovieThe Third Man - Blockbuster Video Shelf Backer Card 5.5"X8" *No Movie $10.00 The Third Man (Dvd, 1999, Criterion Collection) Carol Reed Orson WellesThe Third Man (Dvd, 1999, Criterion Collection) Carol Reed Orson Welles $13.99
The Third Man: 3 Full Length Episodes - Dvd By Harry Lime - Very GoodlsThe Third Man: 3 Full Length Episodes - Dvd By Harry Lime - Very Goodls $15.00 The Third Man Graham Greene Bantam 797 1950 Rare movie tie-in Photo CoverThe Third Man Graham Greene Bantam 797 1950 Rare movie tie-in Photo Cover $14.99
The Third Man - Blu-ray Disc - Brand NewThe Third Man - Blu-ray Disc - Brand New $16.95 The Third Man 1949 Steel Book Blu-ray Uk Zavvi Exclusive Region B Mint No DentsThe Third Man 1949 Steel Book Blu-ray Uk Zavvi Exclusive Region B Mint No Dents $53.99
The Third Man Dvd Box Set Criterion CollectionThe Third Man Dvd Box Set Criterion Collection $90.00 The Graham Greene Collection 4 Dvd Box Set Dvd The Third Man More Region 2 Vg+The Graham Greene Collection 4 Dvd Box Set Dvd The Third Man More Region 2 Vg+ $16.87
Third Man Out (2005, Dvd) New Lbgtq+ Free ShippingThird Man Out (2005, Dvd) New Lbgtq+ Free Shipping $12.99 1949 The 3Rd Man Movie Marque Photo Film Noir Orson Welles Joseph Cotten Howard1949 The 3Rd Man Movie Marque Photo Film Noir Orson Welles Joseph Cotten Howard $15.25
Third Man on the Mountain - Disney wraparound band movie tie-in Dj Vg c1959Third Man on the Mountain - Disney wraparound band movie tie-in Dj Vg c1959 $69.99 Third Man Out Movie: A Donald Strachey Mystery Widescreen Lgbtq SuspenseThird Man Out Movie: A Donald Strachey Mystery Widescreen Lgbtq Suspense $11.00
The Third Man (Dvd - 1949) - Region 2 - New/SealedThe Third Man (Dvd - 1949) - Region 2 - New/Sealed $12.00 Orson Welles Movie Press Photo 8x10 The Third Man 1949 Portrait *P90cOrson Welles Movie Press Photo 8x10 The Third Man 1949 Portrait *P90c $14.50
1998 The Third Man New Sealed Vhs1998 The Third Man New Sealed Vhs $14.25 The Third (Dvd, 2019, Gay Interest) Sean McBride, Corey Page, Ryland SheltonThe Third (Dvd, 2019, Gay Interest) Sean McBride, Corey Page, Ryland Shelton $18.98
The Third Man (1949) Criterion Collection 2-Disc Set Dvd 2007 Ds30The Third Man (1949) Criterion Collection 2-Disc Set Dvd 2007 Ds30 $55.57 The Third Man Orson Welles Movie Poster 11”x17”The Third Man Orson Welles Movie Poster 11”x17” $15.55
The Third Man Joseph Cotten Trevor Howard Orig 1949 8x10 Photo Carol ReedThe Third Man Joseph Cotten Trevor Howard Orig 1949 8x10 Photo Carol Reed $24.95 The Third Man (Dvd, 1999, Criterion Collection) Brand New Still Factory SealedThe Third Man (Dvd, 1999, Criterion Collection) Brand New Still Factory Sealed $72.99
The Third Man (Vhs, 1949) Orson Welles Film-Noir Rare Uncut British Version HtfThe Third Man (Vhs, 1949) Orson Welles Film-Noir Rare Uncut British Version Htf $3.99 The Third Man - Modern Film Scripts - Graham Greene Carol Reed 1968 PbThe Third Man - Modern Film Scripts - Graham Greene Carol Reed 1968 Pb $15.00
The Third Man (StudioCanal, Blu-ray, 1949) * Region B *The Third Man (StudioCanal, Blu-ray, 1949) * Region B * $16.00 Rare Disney Third Man on the Mountain Dvd New Sealed Classic Adventure Film OopRare Disney Third Man on the Mountain Dvd New Sealed Classic Adventure Film Oop $37.49
The Third Man (Dvd, Criterion Collection, 1949) Rare OopThe Third Man (Dvd, Criterion Collection, 1949) Rare Oop $18.99 The Third Man (1949) Steelbook (4K+Blu-ray)-New (Sealed)-Free Box ShippingThe Third Man (1949) Steelbook (4K+Blu-ray)-New (Sealed)-Free Box Shipping $79.99
Last Man On Earth: The Complete Third Season (Mod) (Dvd Movie)Last Man On Earth: The Complete Third Season (Mod) (Dvd Movie) $36.90 The Third Man movie poster (d) - 11 x 17 inches - Joseph Cotton, Orson WellesThe Third Man movie poster (d) - 11 x 17 inches - Joseph Cotton, Orson Welles $13.96
The Third Man 4K SteelBook Uhd + Blu-ray Mint ship in boxThe Third Man 4K SteelBook Uhd + Blu-ray Mint ship in box $66.95 Orson Welles In "The Third Man" - 8X10 Publicity Photo (Ab-306)Orson Welles In "The Third Man" - 8X10 Publicity Photo (Ab-306) $9.98
The Third Man Limited Edition Steelbook (4K Uhd+Blu-ray+Digital+Bookl et) SealedThe Third Man Limited Edition Steelbook (4K Uhd+Blu-ray+Digital+Bookl et) Sealed $79.99 Third Man Records Men’s Shirts 3 Medium 1 LargeThird Man Records Men’s Shirts 3 Medium 1 Large $32.95
Click to see more The Third Man items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 03/31/25 12:01am.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay