Artiflix 
BFI Player Amazon Channel 
Cineverse 
Fawesome 
IndieFlix 
IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel 
Kanopy 
Plex 
Plex Channel 
Tubi TV 
Cinema
Mystery thriller
The Third Man (1949): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
The Third Man is a 1949 mystery thriller directed by Carol Reed, starring Joseph Cotten, Paul Hörbiger and Trevor Howard. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $1.4 million worldwide. It won 1 Oscar, including Cinematography (Black-and-White), and 2 awards in all. Critics gave it 97 on Metacritic. Stream it on Artiflix and BFI Player, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Carol Reed
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story
What Is The Third Man About?
The premise of The Third Man without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In postwar Vienna, pulp fiction writer Holly Martins travels to meet his childhood friend, only to discover he is dead. A mysterious "third man" was reportedly present at the scene, prompting Martins to investigate. His inquiries lead him into a dangerous conspiracy involving British officer Maj. Calloway and a complex web of deceit and tragic circumstances. The story unfolds against the atmospheric backdrop of Vienna, a city struggling to rebuild after the war.
The Third Man Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- post world war two
- faking one's death
- british noir
- american abroad
- briton abroad
- russian abroad
- rubble
- fake passport
- sociopath
- underground
- writer
- black market
+38 more Show fewer
- funeral
- hospital
- penicillin
- military police
- profiteer
- false passport
- manhunt
- dangerous friend
- expatriate
- cult favorite
- good versus evil
- rubble film
- night
- reference to james joyce
- carousel
- presumed dead
- post world war two austria
- military officer
- cult film
- prater vienna
- misery
- ruthlessness
- car run over
- war ruins
- villain
- evil man
- psychopath
- american in europe
- occupied country
- briton in austria
- american in austria
- american overseas
- male criminal
- allied occupation of austria
- mysterious death
- dark secret
- darkness
- fairground
Where to watch
Where to Watch The Third Man
Stream it on Artiflix and BFI Player, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 10
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Cast & crew
The Third Man Cast
Joseph Cotten leads the cast, with Paul Hörbiger and Trevor Howard. Directed by Carol Reed; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Carol Reed
Also Starring in The Third Man
· 6 more Ratings
The Third Man Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Third Man 97 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 97 Metascore
User score 8.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 79% User score
See on TMDB
Plot
The Third Man Plot Summary
What happens in The Third Man from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Sights of Vienna, Austria flash across the screen as the voice of an Englishman narrates the racketeer trade following the turmoil of World War II. He remarks that many unsuspecting amateurs have tried to break into this perilous business, but tragically, they often end up dead. The narrator describes a city split into sectors under the watch of the occupying forces—the English, the Russians, the Americans, and the French—who struggle to keep the criminal elements in check, often even lacking a shared language. As the city lies in devastation, characterized as being “bombed about a bit,” he introduces the story of Holly Martins, an American drawn to Vienna by an old friend’s promise of work.
Full summary
The whole story of The Third Man, scene by scene
Box office
The Third Man Box Office
The Third Man grossed $1.4 million worldwide. $1.1 million came from the US and Canada and $337,825 (24%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.4M
- US & Canada
- $1.1M
- International
- $337.8K
US & Canada 76%
Rest of the world 24%
Awards
The Third Man Awards & Nominations
The Third Man won 1 Oscar, including Cinematography (Black-and-White), and 2 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Oscars 1951, with 1 win from 3 nominations.
2 wins5 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Oscars 1951 1 win · 3 nominations- Won Cinematography (Black-and-White)
- Nominated Directing – Carol Reed
- Nominated Film Editing
-
BAFTA 1950 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best British Film
-
DGA Awards 1949 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Carol Reed
Videos
The Third Man Trailers & Videos
10 videos: 5 trailers, 1 clip and 4 featurettes.
- Trailer Official Short Trailer
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Trailer 4K Restoration Official Trailer
- Trailer 75th Anniversary Collector's Edition 4K SteelBook Official Trailer
Quiz
How Well Do You Know The Third Man?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What city is the primary setting of 'The Third Man'?
Cars
Cars in The Third Man
8 cars on screen, including the Bugatti Type 46 and the 1942 Willys MB 'Jeep'.
-
Bugatti Type 46 Important role -
1942 Willys MB 'Jeep' Important role -
1937 Adler Trumpf Junior Minor role -
1933 Citroën 10 CV Minor role
Details
The Third Man Also Known As
37 alternative titles, including “El Tercer Hombre” and “The 3rd Man”.
- Also known as
-
- El Tercer Hombre
- The 3rd Man
- 제3의 사나이
- Den tredje mannen
- Le troisième homme
- Трећи човек
- 黑狱亡魂
- 第三个人
- 제 3의 사나이
- De derde man
- O 3º Homem
- Třetí muž
+25 more Show fewer
- Kolmas mies
- Ο τρίτος άνθρωπος
- Il terzo uomo
- 第三の男
- Trečiasis asmuo
- Den tredje mann
- Третий человек
- Tretí Muž
- 黑獄亡魂
- 제삼의 사나이
- 第三의 사나이
- Der dritte Mann
- 第三人
- Den tredje mand
- A harmadik ember
- Üçüncü Adam
- O Terceiro Homem
- האדם השלישי
- Al treilea om
- Trzeci człowiek
- Третя людина
- Третият човек
- مرد سوم
- El tercer home
- Treći čovjek
Seen The Third Man?
More like this
Movies Like The Third Man
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Third Visitor, The Third Secret and Third Party Risk.
From the blog
Articles About The Third Man
3 articles about The Third Man. The latest: “The Power of Cinematography in World Cinema”.
-
-
HistoryThe Legacy of Film Noir: Shadows, Mystery, and Intrigue
Dive into the captivating world of Film Noir, exploring its legacy of shadowy aesthetics, complex characters, and gripping narratives that continue to influence modern cinema. 10 min read -
GenresFilm Noir: Exploring the Dark and Stylish Genre
Dive into the dark and stylish world of Film Noir, exploring its origins, defining features, and enduring influence on modern cinema. 8 min read
FAQ
The Third Man FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of The Third Man, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Third Man?
The Third Man runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was The Third Man released?
The Third Man was released on September 3, 1949.
Who directed The Third Man?
The Third Man was directed by Carol Reed.
More films by Carol Reed Who is in the cast of The Third Man?
The Third Man stars Joseph Cotten, Paul Hörbiger and Trevor Howard, among 10 credited actors.
Where can I watch The Third Man?
In the US, The Third Man is streaming on Artiflix, BFI Player and Cineverse and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did The Third Man make at the box office?
The Third Man grossed $1.4 million worldwide ($1.1 million domestic, $337,825 international).
How is The Third Man rated?
The Third Man has 97 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.
What awards did The Third Man win?
The Third Man won 2 awards from 5 nominations, including Cinematography (Black-and-White) at the Oscars 1951.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
