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 by James Ullman (1959) Pocket Book movie paperback 1stThird Man On The Mountain by James Ullman (1959) Pocket Book movie paperback 1st $14.99 The Third Man - Criterion Collection Dvd Movie, Orson Welles, Joseph C. B&W 1949The Third Man - Criterion Collection Dvd Movie, Orson Welles, Joseph C. B&W 1949 $17.99
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 [Studio Canal Blu-ray] (Carol Reed, 1949) - Welles, Cotten, ValliThe Third Man [Studio Canal Blu-ray] (Carol Reed, 1949) - Welles, Cotten, Valli $6.99
The Third Man (Dvd, with Chinese Subtitles)The Third Man (Dvd, with Chinese Subtitles) $14.95 The Third Man movie poster - Joseph Cotton, Orson WellesThe Third Man movie poster - Joseph Cotton, Orson Welles $10.99 to
The Third Man Criterion Collection New Dvd Carol Reed Double Disc EditionThe Third Man Criterion Collection New Dvd Carol Reed Double Disc Edition $67.99 Third Of A Man 1962 Movie Poster 27x41 Simon Oakland, James DruryThird Of A Man 1962 Movie Poster 27x41 Simon Oakland, James Drury $9.99
The Third Man - Region B - Blu-ray - Orson Wells - Vintage Classics + SlipcoverThe Third Man - Region B - Blu-ray - Orson Wells - Vintage Classics + Slipcover $15.99 Anton Karas The Third Man [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [Black/White] NewAnton Karas The Third Man [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [Black/White] New $34.56
The Third Man Limited Edition Steelbook and Slipcover No Discs Booklet or PosterThe Third Man Limited Edition Steelbook and Slipcover No Discs Booklet or Poster $18.00 Third Man on the Mountain (Dvd, 2004, 1-Disc) 1959 Disney Family Adventure New!Third Man on the Mountain (Dvd, 2004, 1-Disc) 1959 Disney Family Adventure New! $12.95
The Third Man (Criterion Collection) (Dvd, 1999)The Third Man (Criterion Collection) (Dvd, 1999) $15.00 Third Man On The Mountain (Dvd, 2004) ‎Michael Rennie James MacArthur DisneyThird Man On The Mountain (Dvd, 2004) ‎Michael Rennie James MacArthur Disney $14.99
The Third Man (1949) Vintage Japanese Movie Program Joseph Cotten Orson WellesThe Third Man (1949) Vintage Japanese Movie Program Joseph Cotten Orson Welles $16.97 The Third Man - Orson Welles *Brand New Blu-Ray *sealed*The Third Man - Orson Welles *Brand New Blu-Ray *sealed* $12.95
dorm room buy prints 1949 The Third Man movie poster 8x10" printdorm room buy prints 1949 The Third Man movie poster 8x10" print $10.29 The Third Man (1949) Blu-ray • Studio Canal Collection - Orson Wells + BookletThe Third Man (1949) Blu-ray • Studio Canal Collection - Orson Wells + Booklet $14.99
The Third Man Blu-ray Steelbook Uk Region-B Import Limited Edition New SealedThe Third Man Blu-ray Steelbook Uk Region-B Import Limited Edition New Sealed $70.00 Joseph Cotten Trevor Howard The Third Man Orig 1949 8x10 Photo Film NoirJoseph Cotten Trevor Howard The Third Man Orig 1949 8x10 Photo Film Noir $22.95
The Third Man (Criterion Collection) (Blu-Ray, 1949) Oop w/ Slipcover No BookletThe Third Man (Criterion Collection) (Blu-Ray, 1949) Oop w/ Slipcover No Booklet $74.99 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 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 (1949) Movie Poster 2"X3" Pin Button BadgeThe Third Man (1949) Movie Poster 2"X3" Pin Button Badge $9.99
The Third Man - Uk Blu-ray - Region B - w/ SlipcoverThe Third Man - Uk Blu-ray - Region B - w/ Slipcover $19.99 The Third Man (1949) (Dvd, 1999, The Criterion Collection 64) Orson Welles - HtfThe Third Man (1949) (Dvd, 1999, The Criterion Collection 64) Orson Welles - Htf $19.99
Third Man On The Mountain * Disney Dvd * ‎Michael Rennie James MacArthurThird Man On The Mountain * Disney Dvd * ‎Michael Rennie James MacArthur $15.00 The Third Man Movie Poster, Gift For Mother's Day, Father's DayThe Third Man Movie Poster, Gift For Mother's Day, Father's Day $16.99 to
Selection: You Pick / Choose Dvd/BluRay $4 each +ShippingSelection: You Pick / Choose Dvd/BluRay $4 each +Shipping $4.00 The Third Man, Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, thriller movie, Vhs tape formatThe Third Man, Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, thriller movie, Vhs tape format $6.00
"The Third Man" (1949) Dvd Box Set (2 Disks) Criterion Carol Reed"The Third Man" (1949) Dvd Box Set (2 Disks) Criterion Carol Reed $20.00 The Third Man (1949) Movie Poster Pint Beer Drinking GlassThe Third Man (1949) Movie Poster Pint Beer Drinking Glass $9.99
The Third Man R1999 Orig 27X39 Rolled Mint Movie Poster Orson Wells 50Th AnnivThe Third Man R1999 Orig 27X39 Rolled Mint Movie Poster Orson Wells 50Th Anniv $75.00 The Third Man - Criterion Collection - Dvd - Vg+The Third Man - Criterion Collection - Dvd - Vg+ $12.50
The Third Man - Original 1949 Movie Photo - Welles - CottenThe Third Man - Original 1949 Movie Photo - Welles - Cotten $30.00 The Third Man (1949) Carol Reed / Joseph Cotten [Dvd] Fast ShippingThe Third Man (1949) Carol Reed / Joseph Cotten [Dvd] Fast Shipping $5.95
The Third Man Carol Reeds Movie Poster 11 x 17 (14)The Third Man Carol Reeds Movie Poster 11 x 17 (14) $13.50 The Third Man (Criterion, Dvd, 1949) Carol Reed, Joseph Cotton, Orson WellesThe Third Man (Criterion, Dvd, 1949) Carol Reed, Joseph Cotton, Orson Welles $18.87
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 Third Man (1949) Poster Movie Poster Wall Art Room Decor - Poster Wall DecorThe Third Man (1949) Poster Movie Poster Wall Art Room Decor - Poster Wall Decor $16.99 to
The Third Man The Criterion Collection (Dvd 2007) Brand New Special EditionThe Third Man The Criterion Collection (Dvd 2007) Brand New Special Edition $49.00 The Third Man (Dvd, 2007, 2-Disc Set) The Criterion Collection With BookletThe Third Man (Dvd, 2007, 2-Disc Set) The Criterion Collection With Booklet $28.95
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 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 (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 Official Story of the Film John Walsh Titan Books New SealedThe Third Man Official Story of the Film John Walsh Titan Books New Sealed $39.99
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 $14.99 The Third Man Vintage Orson Welles Movie PosterThe Third Man Vintage Orson Welles Movie Poster $9.99 to
The Third Man Dvd by Carol Reed with Orson Wells and Joseph CottenThe Third Man Dvd by Carol Reed with Orson Wells and Joseph Cotten $7.95 Orson Welles Third Man Dbw 8x10 Re-Strike Photo From Orig NegOrson Welles Third Man Dbw 8x10 Re-Strike Photo From Orig Neg $25.00
In Search of the Third Man by Drazin, Charles Hardcover Book, 1999. ExcellentIn Search of the Third Man by Drazin, Charles Hardcover Book, 1999. Excellent $32.99 The Third Man Movie Poster Print, Wall Art - UnframedThe Third Man Movie Poster Print, Wall Art - Unframed $8.99 to
The Third Man (Dvd) starring Michael Rennie All RegionsThe Third Man (Dvd) starring Michael Rennie All Regions $14.99 The Third Man Fridge Magnet movie posterThe Third Man Fridge Magnet movie poster $7.49 to
New The Third Man 4K SteelBook Uhd Blu-ray [1949] No Dents - Ships Next DayNew The Third Man 4K SteelBook Uhd Blu-ray [1949] No Dents - Ships Next Day $68.99 film Noir movie poster the Third man Robert Cotton Orson Welles Valli 12x18film Noir movie poster the Third man Robert Cotton Orson Welles Valli 12x18 $7.99
The Third Man (Laserdisc) Criterion Orson Welles Great Film Clv Rare!The Third Man (Laserdisc) Criterion Orson Welles Great Film Clv Rare! $8.99 The Third Man Rare Local Orig R1976 Cinema Viewing Movie Ticket 2Color Japan Nm+The Third Man Rare Local Orig R1976 Cinema Viewing Movie Ticket 2Color Japan Nm+ $77.00
Third Man On The Mountain (Mod) (Dvd Movie)Third Man On The Mountain (Mod) (Dvd Movie) $24.46 Orson Welles Photo the third man film movie photographOrson Welles Photo the third man film movie photograph $11.27
Third Man on the Mountain James Ullman Pocket Books C391 Disney Movie Tie-1959Third Man on the Mountain James Ullman Pocket Books C391 Disney Movie Tie-1959 $6.00 Joseph Cotten Alida Valli Photo the third man MoVieJoseph Cotten Alida Valli Photo the third man MoVie $11.27
The Third Man (Le Troisiéme Homme) - Vintage French Movie Poster by Lancy 1949The Third Man (Le Troisiéme Homme) - Vintage French Movie Poster by Lancy 1949 $14.98 to The Third Man - 4Kult Ed. w. Slipcover (4K Uhd + Blu-ray, Region Free) *New*The Third Man - 4Kult Ed. w. Slipcover (4K Uhd + Blu-ray, Region Free) *New* $34.79
The Third Man (Dvd, 1949)The Third Man (Dvd, 1949) $10.99 The Third Man Blu-RayThe Third Man Blu-Ray $9.95
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 $45.99 Alloy Orchestra Man with the Movie Camera: Live at Third Man - Vinyl - Brand NewAlloy Orchestra Man with the Movie Camera: Live at Third Man - Vinyl - Brand New $15.99
1949 The Third Man movie Vhs tape, Collector's Edition 1994 Madacy Video, Welles1949 The Third Man movie Vhs tape, Collector's Edition 1994 Madacy Video, Welles $4.99 The Third Man (1949) Movie Poster Graphic T Shirt Men or Women NewThe Third Man (1949) Movie Poster Graphic T Shirt Men or Women New $14.99 to
The Third Man Blu-ray Carol Reed Orson Welles 1949 Studio Canal Region AThe Third Man Blu-ray Carol Reed Orson Welles 1949 Studio Canal Region A $7.00 The Third Man [New Dvd]The Third Man [New Dvd] $17.84
Orson Welles In "The Third Man" - 8X10 Publicity Photo (Ab-306)Orson Welles In "The Third Man" - 8X10 Publicity Photo (Ab-306) $9.98 Third Of A Man Original Movie Poster 1962Third Of A Man Original Movie Poster 1962 $22.49
The Third Man (Dvd, 1999, Criterion Collection) - Orson WellesThe Third Man (Dvd, 1999, Criterion Collection) - Orson Welles $14.95 The Third Man Blu-ray 1949 StudioCanal Orson Welles Joseph Cotten Film Noir NewThe Third Man Blu-ray 1949 StudioCanal Orson Welles Joseph Cotten Film Noir New $14.75
The Third Man 1949 Original vintage stamped Orson Welles 1949 U. K. film CandidThe Third Man 1949 Original vintage stamped Orson Welles 1949 U. K. film Candid $60.00 The Third Man movie poster (c) - 11 x 17 inches - Joseph Cotton, Orson WellesThe Third Man movie poster (c) - 11 x 17 inches - Joseph Cotton, Orson Welles $13.96
Press Photo "Third Man on the Mountain" Movie Scene - pio33931Press Photo "Third Man on the Mountain" Movie Scene - pio33931 $24.99 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
Anton Karas original movie photo 1949 The Third ManAnton Karas original movie photo 1949 The Third Man $19.98 The Third Man (Dvd, Criterion Collection, 1949) Rare OopThe Third Man (Dvd, Criterion Collection, 1949) Rare Oop $18.99
Orson Welles Joseph Cotten Photo the third man FilmOrson Welles Joseph Cotten Photo the third man Film $11.27 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 by Carol Reed [New, Dvd forma] - Criterion CollectionThe Third Man by Carol Reed [New, Dvd forma] - Criterion Collection $49.00 Alloy Orchestra Live @ Third Man Rec - Man With The Movie Camera 2x Vinyl Lp NewAlloy Orchestra Live @ Third Man Rec - Man With The Movie Camera 2x Vinyl Lp New $35.00
The third man Orson Welles Joseph Cotten movie poster print 4The third man Orson Welles Joseph Cotten movie poster print 4 $6.49 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 (Blu-ray, 1949)The Third Man (Blu-ray, 1949) $5.00 Third Man: the Official Story of the Film by John Walsh (2024, Hardcover) NewThird Man: the Official Story of the Film by John Walsh (2024, Hardcover) New $35.00
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 $6.00 The Third Man (Bfi Film Classics)The Third Man (Bfi Film Classics) $16.19
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 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
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 (Modern Film Scripts Series) by Graham GreeneThe Third Man (Modern Film Scripts Series) by Graham Greene $29.99
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 $74.99 The Third Man, Vol. 1 (Dvd, 2006) Excellent Condition Michael RennieThe Third Man, Vol. 1 (Dvd, 2006) Excellent Condition Michael Rennie $5.99
The Third Man (Rare Oop Blu-ray, 1949, Studiocanal Collection) ~Welles, CottenThe Third Man (Rare Oop Blu-ray, 1949, Studiocanal Collection) ~Welles, Cotten $10.45 Third Man Out (Dvd, 2005) Lgbtq+Third Man Out (Dvd, 2005) Lgbtq+ $9.95
Click to see more The Third Man items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 08/13/25 6:31am.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay