The Third Man Overview:

The Third Man (1949) was a Film Noir - Mystery Film directed by Carol Reed and produced by Carol Reed, David O. Selznick, Alexander Korda and Hugh Perceval.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Graham Greene published in 1949.

Academy Awards 1950 --- Ceremony Number 23 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best CinematographyRobert KraskerWon
Best DirectorCarol ReedNominated
Best Film EditingOswald HafenrichterNominated
.

BlogHub Articles:

Joseph Cotten searches for “The Third Man” in Postwar Vienna

By Stephen Reginald on Jul 11, 2023 From Classic Movie Man

Joseph Cotten searches for “The Third Man” in Postwar Vienna The Third Man (1949) is a British film noir directed by Carol Reed and starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, and Trevor Howard. The film’s screenplay was written by Graham Greene. The film focuses on Ho... Read full article


The Third Man (4)

By Barry P. on Dec 4, 2022 From Cinematic Catharsis

(1949) Directed by Carol Reed; Screenplay by Graham Greene; Based on a novella by Graham Greene; Starring: Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, Trevor Howard, Paul H?rbiger, Ernst Deutsch, Erich Ponto; Available on Blu-ray and DVD Rating: ***** “Carol Reed is the kind of director who&... Read full article


The Third Man At 70

By 4 Star Film Fan on Oct 16, 2019 From 4 Star Films

Oh, how I love The?Third Man (or The 3rd Man). Regardless of how you write it, Carol Reed‘s post-war noir is one of those special films that was a case of love at first sight.? I knew some of the reasons already, but watching the film with a friend (on his first viewing) teased them out even m... Read full article


The Third Man (1949): Out of the Rubble (1)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Nov 2, 2017 From 4 Star Films

Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love – they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? T... Read full article


The Third Man (1949): Out of the Rubble (2)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Nov 2, 2017 From 4 Star Films

Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love – they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? T... Read full article


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Quotes from

British MP: I'm sorry, Miss, it's orders. We can't go against the protocol.
Anna Schmidt: I don't even know what protocol means.
British MP: Neither do I, Miss.


Anna Schmidt: A person doesn't change just because you find out more.


Harry Lime: Nobody thinks in terms of human beings. Governments don't. Why should we? They talk about the people and the proletariat, I talk about the suckers and the mugs - it's the same thing. They have their five-year plans, so have I.
Martins: You used to believe in God.
Harry Lime: Oh, I still do believe in God, old man. I believe in God and Mercy and all that. But the dead are happier dead. They don't miss much here, poor devils.


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Facts about

Director Carol Reed originally wanted James Stewart for the role of Holly Martins; producer David O. Selznick insisted on Joseph Cotten, who was under contract to Selznick's production company at that time.
Orson Welles starred in a radio series ("The Lives of Harry Lime," 1951-52) based on the early adventures of his character in this film.
The scene showing the waning moments of Harry Lime's life in which he extends his fingers futilely towards freedom through a grate in the sewer was suggested to the director by Orson Welles. The hands actually used in that shot belong to director Carol Reed.
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