... One of them was Graham Green's novel The Third Man. I don't think we ever finished reading it in class. I also grew up with the movie being shown on television regularly. As all of German TV is dubbed, I never had the chance to see the movie in its original form. And although I had made every ... Read review
In this stylishly riveting whodunit, gay private eye Donald Strachey (Chad Allen) is hired ... more
to investigate violent attacks against John Rutka, an infamous publisher hell-bent on outing New York's prominent elite. Even with a hunch that the threats may be staged, Strachey takes the case for its sizable fee. But when Rutka's charred remains turn up, the hard-nosed detective is lured into a web of deceit and powerfully tangled enemies. With several threats on his life, he might not live to solve this mystery.
With an introduction by Ian Thompson "The Third Man" is Graham Greene's brilliant ... more
recreation of post-war Vienna a 'smashed dreary city' occupied by the four Allied powers. Rollo Martins a second-rate novelist arrives penniless to visit his friend and hero Harry Lime. But Harry has died in suspicious circumstances and the police are closing in on his associates..."The Fallen Idol" is the chilling story of a small boy caught up in the games that adults play. Left in the care of the butler and his wife whilst his parents go on a fortnight's holiday Philip realises too late the danger of lies and deceit. But the truth is even deadlier.
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The two most memorable aspects of director Carol Reed's 1949 adaptation of Graham Greene's ... more
post-War Vienna-based mystery Third Man are prime examples of the paradoxical power of cinematic myth. Orson Welles, the actor most identified with the film, has little more than a cameo in it, while the musical theme of his character (Harry Lime)--an infectiously jaunty tune played on the zither--became an international pop repertoire icon for a half-century, even if it was almost always incorrectly labeled "The Third Man Theme". Reed's decision to eschew an orchestra for the solo zither performances of Anton Karas was a pioneering one, though the Viennese-born musician originally didn't receive credit as composer and despite the enduring global impact of his music, would never compose for films again. This marks the first digital recording of the landmark score, performed here with an uncanny ear for Karas' original inflections by award-winning Bavarian soloist Gertrud Huber--all the more remarkable considering Karas' original session performances were largely ad-libbed. Karas' sprightly melodies are as timeless and internationally evocative as ever, supplemented here by dialog snippets of the film and orchestrated versions of the "Harry Lime" and "Café Mozart" themes that only serve to underscore the singular power of the original's solo intentions. --Jerry McCulley, Amazon.com
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A gay detective who always gets his man... Chad Allen stars as gay detective Donald ... more
Strachey in this gritty series of crime stories based on the popular novels by author Richard Stevenson. In Third Man Out Strachey is commissioned to protect gay activist John Rutka known for "outing" prominent citizens. Strachey abandons bodyguard duty when he feels that Rutka is staging the threats against him. When Rutka turns up dead Strachey is faced with an extensive list of enemies all with enough motive to kill.
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The Third Man Factor tells the revealing story behind an extraordinary idea: that people ... more
at the very edge of death often adventurers or explorers experience a benevolent presence beside them who encourages them to make one final effort to survive. If only a handful of people had ever experienced the Third Man it might be dismissed as an unusual delusion shared by a few overstressed minds. But the amazing thing is this: over the years the experience has occurred again and again to mountaineers divers polar explorers prisoners of war solo sailors aviators astronauts and 9/11 survivors. All have escaped traumatic events only to tell strikingly similar stories of having experienced the close presence of a helper or guardian. The mysterious force has been explained as everything from hallucination to divine intervention. Recent neurological research suggests something else.
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Production Year: 1945 - Drama - Director: David Lean - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey, Cyril Raymond
Production Year: 1999 - Drama - Director: Dick Maas - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: William Hurt, Jennifer Tilly, Denis Leary, Michael Chiklis, Francesca Brown
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: classic movie, great actors, good story Disadvantages: a little dated, black and white
...them was Graham Green's novel The Third Man. I don't think we ever finished reading it in class. I also grew up with the movie being shown on television regularly. As all of German TV is dubbed, I never had the chance to see the movie in its original form. And although I had made every attempt to watch it all the way through, I can't remember ever seeing the ending. It used to be on too late at night for me to stay awake long enough.
... ...friend Harry Lime, the American writer Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton) arrives in post-war Vienna, only to be told by the porter/caretaker of the house in which Lime lived that his friend had been instantly killed in a car accident. Martins arrives just in time for the funeral where he meets British Major Calloway (Trevor Howard) who tells Martins that his friend was one of the worst racketeers and murderers in Vienna and was best dead. Martins does ... more
I am from Germany and when learning English at school we also read some books in their original language. One of them was Graham Green's novel The Third Man. I don't think we ever finished reading it in class. I also grew up with the movie being shown on television regularly. As all of German TV is dubbed, I never had the chance to see the movie in its original form. And although I had made every attempt to watch it all the way through, I can't remember ever seeing the ending. It used to be on too late at night for me to stay awake long enough.
Following an invitation by his childhood friend Harry Lime, the American writer Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton) arrives in post-war Vienna, only to be told by the porter/caretaker of the house in which Lime lived that his friend had been instantly killed in a car accident. Martins arrives just in time for the funeral where he meets British Major Calloway (Trevor Howard) who tells Martins that his friend was one of the worst racketeers and murderers in Vienna and was best dead. Martins does not believe the tale of the major and decides to investigate on his own and discover the truth about the death of his friend and clear his name once and for all.
Compared to modern standards of film making, you will not find any awesome special effect, explosions or plot twists. This movie plays heavily with light and darkness, the use of a single musical instrument to accompany the storyline and set the mood. Vienna, suffering from a lot of destruction from the war, provides a perfect backdrop.
The movie was filmed on location and shows some of Vienna's famous sewers (you can still take tours down there) as well as the big wheel in the Prater park. Both locations turn out to be pivotal to the story line.
Of course, it is not an edge of the seat thriller where you will jump up with fright every other minute. But it is a well produced and directed movie by Carol Reed, who defied the wishes of his American co-producer David O Selznick when it came to casting the leads and choice of music. I doubt the movie would have been half as good if the choice of actors had been different. How would Noel Coward have played the part of Harry Lime? It doesn't bear thinking. And what would it have been if the music had been provided by an orchestra playing traditional Viennese music like waltz music. The lonely zither and the somewhat haunting style in which it was played, forever changing with the mood of the movie, made it thoroughly enjoyable. And it still is one of the most memorable movie themes.
Shot in black and white gives this movie the necessary darkness. Reed cast some well-known International as well as popular Austrian actors in the parts. Orson Welles himself does not appear until very late into the movie but his performance is still menacing and memorable.
My only gripe with the DVD - and movie - is that it doesn't come with subtitles. Although most of the dialogue is in English, some of the Austrian actors do not speak their parts in English and for those who don't know the language, some of the finer nuances may get lost. It is still easy to follow the movie, the German bits are not really important to advance the plot, and once more illustrate the mood of the movie, we, as the viewer, only find out what we really need to know. We seem to be in the same boat as Holly Martins who does not speak the language.
As I said at the beginning, I am German, so I had no problems when conversations were in German and it raised a few smiles with me at times, knowing that I understood what was talked about in the background.
Would I recommend the movie? Of course. It is a masterpiece of British movie making and can be enjoyed by all the family. Perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon, snuggled up on the settee with a nice cup of coffee and a box of chocolates.
I can only hope that Hollywood will not come up with the idea of a remake of this movie.
Advantages: Everything in front of and behind the camera Disadvantages: None
The Third Man is one of those films that I have heard the name of countless number of times, without ever having understood what it is about or having watched it. However, having watched it recently, I found myself mesmerised by how well written a film it is.
It's a classic noir thriller, and considered the best British film ever by the British Fim Institute. Shot mainly on location in Vienna, the film is set post-Second World War as author Holly ... ...and underground black market. And the one thing no one is sure of is whether Harry's death was an accident or murder.....
Directed by Sir Carol Reed, the film is extremely well put together, and the suspense and cinematography are phenomenal. The sinister element of Vienna by night is captured marvellously by cinematographer Robert Krasker, and he deserves a round of applause. Reed manages to give us a carefully controlled adaptation of Graham Greene's ...
pmcds 27.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Third Man (DVD)
Advantages: Dripping with atmosphere Disadvantages: It ends?
...jaunty little tune played on the zither. You know the one, it brings to mind Spanish Flamenco dancing and Greek weddings. But why does it stick in our memories so? I don't honestly know, but what I DO know is where it comes from (or rather, what made it famous). The oft mentioned The Third Man makes great use of it and, as luck would have it, it's our topic of discussion for today.
Offered a job by his long time friend Harry Lime, down on his luck ... ...almost his first step off the train, Holly finds himself in trouble. Heading to Harry's apartment, Holly discovers that Harry was killed just a few days before - run over by a truck. Sullen and somewhat despairing at his fortune, Holly comes into contact with British military officer Major Calloway, a man also looking for Harry Lime. Seems that Harry had gotten himself into a spot of black market trouble and the authorities would very much him to ...
TheNeil 05.03.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Third Man (DVD)
Advantages: Cracking story Disadvantages: Bit dark
The haunting Harry Lime Theme played by Anton Karas on the zither is as much part of the film as is Orson Welles.
This is a tale of mystery and suspense filmed in black and white on the streets of Vienna in the years following the war.
It wouldn't be fair to a new viewer, if one actually exists, to recount the story so I'll confine myself to saying that it is a "must see" film with first rate direction and superbly dark camera work. It captures ...
jimbuck 16.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Third Man (DVD)
Advantages: Highly atmoshperic, superb looking. Disadvantages: A touch too complex at times.
...there is one cinema genre the Americans can do superbly (apart from Westerns) it would have to be film noir. All those darkly lit and strangely angled movies of crime in the inner cities were highly memorable(Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep etc.), yet the British produced one of the very best of all in The Third Man. Surely one of the most strikingly shot films ever made with post WW2 Vienna looking distinctly atmospheric and at times almost alien. ...
JSpencer 14.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Third Man (DVD)
Advantages: Chilling and atmospheric Disadvantages: Not really any
...a genuine thriller that is the opposite of most Hollywood fantasies that pose as thrillers. Add the atmospheric and famous zither music, superb cinematography, especially in the shoot-out in the sewers, plus excellent acting by all the other cast members, and you have a truly unforgettable film that you will want to see again. An all-time classic. ...
matwil 07.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Third Man (DVD)
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A writer of westerns arrives in post war Vienna after an invitation from an old school friend. But he finds that his friend has been killed in a strange accident.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
WARNER HOME VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS, Contender Entertainment Group
Joseph Cottens US Voiceover, Pathe Newsreel Of Anton Karas On Zither, Archive Footage, 1951 Radio Play, Photo Gallery, Theatrical Trailers
Aspect Ratio
1.33 Full Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono English
Professional reviews
Review
"...THE THIRD MAN provides superior roles for all its lead actors..." (Los Angeles Times, p.F10, 10/06/1999)
"...The film's disenchanted romanticism exerts an irresistible charm. Nearly half a century on, that charm hasn't diminished in the least..." (Sight and Sound, p.54-5, 01/04/1994)
DVD Description
This classic noir mystery, from the team of Carol Reed and Graham Greene, is generally considered to be the best filmwork of both of these estimable talents. THE THIRD MAN features Joseph Cotten as Holly Martins, a pulp novelist who has come to post-WWII Vienna with the promise of work from his friend, Harry Lime (Orson Welles). When he finds that Lime has just been killed in a questionable car accident, he decides to remain in the city to investigate his friend's demise.
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