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!]

Third Man On The Mountain orig Disney movie poster Michael Rennie/Janet MunroThird Man On The Mountain orig Disney movie poster Michael Rennie/Janet Munro $59.99 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 (Vinyl) 12" Album Coloured VinylThe Third Man (Vinyl) 12" Album Coloured Vinyl $47.63 The Third Man / Carol Reed, Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, 1949 / NewThe Third Man / Carol Reed, Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, 1949 / New $11.65
dorm room buy prints 1949 The Third Man movie poster 8x10" printdorm room buy prints 1949 The Third Man movie poster 8x10" print $8.95 Thriller Noir Dvd Blu-Ray Lot Third Man Charley Varrick Chinatown Free ShippingThriller Noir Dvd Blu-Ray Lot Third Man Charley Varrick Chinatown Free Shipping $24.99
The Third Man (1949) (Blu-ray) (Uk Import - Region Free) Orson Welles Harry LimeThe Third Man (1949) (Blu-ray) (Uk Import - Region Free) Orson Welles Harry Lime $15.00 The Third Man: The Official Story of the FilmThe Third Man: The Official Story of the Film $50.71
New ListingThe Third Man, Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, thriller movie, Vhs tape formatNew ListingThe Third Man, Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, thriller movie, Vhs tape format $6.00 Joseph Cotten Photo the third man film movie photographJoseph Cotten Photo the third man film movie photograph $12.95
The Third Man 1949 Movie Poster | High Quality PrintThe Third Man 1949 Movie Poster | High Quality Print $9.99 to 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 $99.95
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+ $18.95 Joseph Cotten Alida Valli Photo the third man PictureJoseph Cotten Alida Valli Photo the third man Picture $12.95
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 Selection: You Pick / Choose Dvd/BluRay $4 each +ShippingSelection: You Pick / Choose Dvd/BluRay $4 each +Shipping $4.00
New ListingThe Third Man Movie Poster Jigsaw Puzzle 120 300 Pieces Pick A Size Lot UpNew ListingThe Third Man Movie Poster Jigsaw Puzzle 120 300 Pieces Pick A Size Lot Up $13.49 to The Third Man (Dvd, Criterion Collection, 1949) Rare OopThe Third Man (Dvd, Criterion Collection, 1949) Rare Oop $18.99
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 1959 Disney Movie Third Man On Mountain Michael Rennie Janet Munro Ad Lobby Card1959 Disney Movie Third Man On Mountain Michael Rennie Janet Munro Ad Lobby Card $10.95
Third Man Out (2005, Dvd) New Lbgtq+ Free ShippingThird Man Out (2005, Dvd) New Lbgtq+ Free Shipping $12.99 The Third Man (Dvd, 1999, Criterion Collection) Orson Wells & Joseph Cotton #64The Third Man (Dvd, 1999, Criterion Collection) Orson Wells & Joseph Cotton #64 $12.99
The Third Man (Blu-ray Disc, 2010, Studio Canal/Lionsgate, Region 1)The Third Man (Blu-ray Disc, 2010, Studio Canal/Lionsgate, Region 1) $11.20 Orson Welles The Third Man as Harry Lime portrait 8x10 B/W PhotoOrson Welles The Third Man as Harry Lime portrait 8x10 B/W Photo $14.99
Disney Third Man On The Mountain The Citadel Switzerland New Dvd SealedDisney Third Man On The Mountain The Citadel Switzerland New Dvd Sealed $15.00 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
Vintage Hollywood Movie Still Photo 8x10 Orson Welles "The Third Man"Vintage Hollywood Movie Still Photo 8x10 Orson Welles "The Third Man" $29.99 The Third Man: 3 Full Length Episodes - Dvd By Harry Lime - Very GoodThe Third Man: 3 Full Length Episodes - Dvd By Harry Lime - Very Good $6.96
Third Man Records Men’s Shirts 3 Medium 1 LargeThird Man Records Men’s Shirts 3 Medium 1 Large $32.95 Joseph Cotton - Signed Vintage Celebrity Autograph Photo - The Third ManJoseph Cotton - Signed Vintage Celebrity Autograph Photo - The Third Man $59.99
The Third Man Vintage Mystery Thriller Film Noir Movie Wall Art - Poster 20"x30"The Third Man Vintage Mystery Thriller Film Noir Movie Wall Art - Poster 20"x30" $23.99 The Third Man (Dvd) starring Michael Rennie All RegionsThe Third Man (Dvd) starring Michael Rennie All Regions $14.99
The Third Man (SteelBook)(4K Ultra Hd)(Pre-order Feb 25)The Third Man (SteelBook)(4K Ultra Hd)(Pre-order Feb 25) $71.99 Anton Karas The Third Man [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] New VinylAnton Karas The Third Man [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] New Vinyl $44.99
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 Third Man Records Men's Black T-shirt Logo T-Shirt Funny Size S to 5XlThird Man Records Men's Black T-shirt Logo T-Shirt Funny Size S to 5Xl $15.00 to
Joseph Cotten Alida Valli Photo the third man MovieJoseph Cotten Alida Valli Photo the third man Movie $12.95 The Third Man (1949) / Orson Wells / Joseph Cotton / Dvd / Plastic WrappedThe Third Man (1949) / Orson Wells / Joseph Cotton / Dvd / Plastic Wrapped $6.99
The Third Man tv Barcelona Passage Toys of the Dead How to Buy a Country etc dvdThe Third Man tv Barcelona Passage Toys of the Dead How to Buy a Country etc dvd $3.87 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
The Third Man (1949) Film Noir Vhs Movie, dir. Carol Reed (See Description)The Third Man (1949) Film Noir Vhs Movie, dir. Carol Reed (See Description) $12.00 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) $5.67
The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949)-*Case Is Falling Apart*The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949)-*Case Is Falling Apart* $4.49 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
The third man Orson Welles Joseph Cotten movie poster print 4The third man Orson Welles Joseph Cotten movie poster print 4 $6.49 The Third Man Blu-ray 1949 Film Noir Orson Welles w/ Slipcover & BookletThe Third Man Blu-ray 1949 Film Noir Orson Welles w/ Slipcover & Booklet $14.99
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 $55.99 The Third Man Movie Poster Print, Wall Art - UnframedThe Third Man Movie Poster Print, Wall Art - Unframed $8.99 to
The Third Man Uk Zavvi Exclusive Blu-Ray Steelbook Region B Welles ReedThe Third Man Uk Zavvi Exclusive Blu-Ray Steelbook Region B Welles Reed $55.00 The Third Man [Criterion Collection 1949 B&W) Pre OwnedThe Third Man [Criterion Collection 1949 B&W) Pre Owned $15.99
New ListingThe Third Man (1949, Dvd) Criterion Edition Disc 1 Only - Good Shape!New ListingThe Third Man (1949, Dvd) Criterion Edition Disc 1 Only - Good Shape! $3.75 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 Dead Weather Live at the Mayan, Los Angeles (2017, Dvd) New Sealed Third ManThe Dead Weather Live at the Mayan, Los Angeles (2017, Dvd) New Sealed Third Man $15.00 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
The Third Man Fridge Magnet movie posterThe Third Man Fridge Magnet movie poster $6.49 to 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
Third Of A Man Original Movie Still 8x10 James Drury Jan Shepard 1962 12643Third Of A Man Original Movie Still 8x10 James Drury Jan Shepard 1962 12643 $5.00 New Jack White Acoustic in Alaska Tour Dvd Third Man Vault Live Concert StripesNew Jack White Acoustic in Alaska Tour Dvd Third Man Vault Live Concert Stripes $9.49
The Third Man (1949) Vhs - Vcii Film Classics Full SleeveThe Third Man (1949) Vhs - Vcii Film Classics Full Sleeve $7.00 8x10 Print Joseph Cotton The Third Man 1949 #Trs8x10 Print Joseph Cotton The Third Man 1949 #Trs $12.00
The Third Man - Vhs - Orson Welles Joseph Cotten - Hollywood Movie GreatsThe Third Man - Vhs - Orson Welles Joseph Cotten - Hollywood Movie Greats $9.29 The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949)The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949) $8.00
Orson Welles The Third Man Celebrity Reprint Rp #7867Orson Welles The Third Man Celebrity Reprint Rp #7867 $7.88 to The Third Man [New Dvd]The Third Man [New Dvd] $16.73
00004000
The Third Man (1949) Carol Reed / Joseph Cotten [Dvd] Fast Shipping00004000 The Third Man (1949) Carol Reed / Joseph Cotten [Dvd] Fast Shipping $5.95 The 3rd Man (Vhs, 1949) Carol Reed Orson Welles Anton Karas Zither ThirdThe 3rd Man (Vhs, 1949) Carol Reed Orson Welles Anton Karas Zither Third $2.00
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 16x20 Canvas Orson Welles Classic In Vienna Street Moody ImageThe Third Man 16x20 Canvas Orson Welles Classic In Vienna Street Moody Image $69.99
The Third Man (Dvd, 1949) Carol Reed Joseph CottenThe Third Man (Dvd, 1949) Carol Reed Joseph Cotten $8.98 The Last Man on Earth: The Complete Third Season (Dvd, 2016) New!The Last Man on Earth: The Complete Third Season (Dvd, 2016) New! $29.99
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 Third Window Films Blu-Ray Lot Tetsuo: The Iron Man/Tetsuo 2 Tokyo Fist Region BThird Window Films Blu-Ray Lot Tetsuo: The Iron Man/Tetsuo 2 Tokyo Fist Region B $20.00
The Third Man (1949) / Carol Reed / Dvd, NewThe Third Man (1949) / Carol Reed / Dvd, New $11.95 The Third Man - Bantam 797 - 1950 - 1st print - Movie Tie In Photo CoverThe Third Man - Bantam 797 - 1950 - 1st print - Movie Tie In Photo Cover $19.99
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 1949 The Third Man Movie Theme Song Sheet Music 3rd Man Film Noir Orson Welles1949 The Third Man Movie Theme Song Sheet Music 3rd Man Film Noir Orson Welles $18.74
The Third Man (1949 film) [1994, Vhs] Hollywood Classics B&W Collector's EditionThe Third Man (1949 film) [1994, Vhs] Hollywood Classics B&W Collector's Edition $5.00 The Third Man Alida Valli Orig 1949 8x10 Selznick Photo Carol ReedThe Third Man Alida Valli Orig 1949 8x10 Selznick Photo Carol Reed $22.95
The Third Man (Screenplay) by Graham GreeneThe Third Man (Screenplay) by Graham Greene $7.59 In Search Of The Third ManIn Search Of The Third Man $19.32
Vintage 1962 Third of A Man Movie Lobby Card Paper Full Color Poster 62/251Vintage 1962 Third of A Man Movie Lobby Card Paper Full Color Poster 62/251 $25.00 8X10" Matted Print Movie Film Still Picture: The Third Man, Joseph Cotten 19498X10" Matted Print Movie Film Still Picture: The Third Man, Joseph Cotten 1949 $15.53
The Third Man: Criterion Collection Oop, (Dvd 2007) Brand New, SealedThe Third Man: Criterion Collection Oop, (Dvd 2007) Brand New, Sealed $83.95 The Third Man (Laserdisc) Criterion Orson Welles Great Film Clv Rare!The Third Man (Laserdisc) Criterion Orson Welles Great Film Clv Rare! $8.49
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 Pujol Black Rabbit / Too Safe 7" Third Man Records in Picture Sleeve (2010)Pujol Black Rabbit / Too Safe 7" Third Man Records in Picture Sleeve (2010) $5.00
Third Man on the Mountain James Ullman Pocket Books C391 Disney Movie Tie-In 1stThird Man on the Mountain James Ullman Pocket Books C391 Disney Movie Tie-In 1st $12.97 The Third Man Vhs Orson Welles Joseph Cotten Hollywood Movie Greats GoodtimesThe Third Man Vhs Orson Welles Joseph Cotten Hollywood Movie Greats Goodtimes $13.00
The Third Man (Modern Film Scripts Series) by Graham GreeneThe Third Man (Modern Film Scripts Series) by Graham Greene $29.99 The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949) Joseph Cotten Orson Welles Studio Canal CollectionThe Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949) Joseph Cotten Orson Welles Studio Canal Collection $8.99
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 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
You Pick Choose Build Blu-Ray Movie Lot 2 Free Shipping After $3.95 Great MoviesYou Pick Choose Build Blu-Ray Movie Lot 2 Free Shipping After $3.95 Great Movies $2.99 to The Third Man (Studio Canal Blu-ray, 1949) - Carol ReedThe Third Man (Studio Canal Blu-ray, 1949) - Carol Reed $11.99
Gay Dvd - Third Man OutGay Dvd - Third Man Out $12.50 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 $49.00
Last Man On Earth: The Complete Third Season (Mod) (Dvd Movie)Last Man On Earth: The Complete Third Season (Mod) (Dvd Movie) $36.78 The Raconteurs Broken Boy Soldiers Lp Vinyl Damaged Sleeve (third man/Jack WhiteThe Raconteurs Broken Boy Soldiers Lp Vinyl Damaged Sleeve (third man/Jack White $14.99
Walt Disney's Third Man On The Mountain (Dvd, 2004) *Rare, Oop!* (1959)Walt Disney's Third Man On The Mountain (Dvd, 2004) *Rare, Oop!* (1959) $9.74 Film Noir Lot of 3 Blu-Rays Strangers on a Train Scarface (1932) & The Third ManFilm Noir Lot of 3 Blu-Rays Strangers on a Train Scarface (1932) & The Third Man $29.99
Click to see more The Third Man items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 01/19/25 8:01pm.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay