# The Third Man

> 1949 film directed by Carol Reed

**Wikidata**: [Q271830](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q271830)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_Man)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-third-man

## Summary
*The Third Man* is a 1949 film directed by Carol Reed, produced by London Films and set in post-war Vienna. It is a mystery drama that blends elements of film noir and thriller, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the shadowy underworld. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning awards at the Cannes Film Festival and BAFTA.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Carol Reed (1906–1976), an English film director.
- Produced by London Films, a British film and television production company founded in 1932.
- Released in 1949, with multiple publication dates including September 2, 1949, and January 6, 1950.
- Genres: mystery film, drama film, thriller film, and film noir.
- Won the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix (1967) and the BAFTA Award for Best British Film (1948).
- Set in post-war Vienna, blending elements of adventure and suspense.
- Adapted from Graham Greene’s novel *The End of the Affair*, preceded by *The Heart of the Matter* (1984).

## FAQs
**What genre does *The Third Man* belong to?**
*The Third Man* is classified as a mystery film, drama film, thriller film, and film noir, blending detective elements with psychological depth.

**Who directed *The Third Man*?**
The film was directed by Carol Reed, an English filmmaker known for his work in British cinema.

**What awards did *The Third Man* receive?**
The film won the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix and the BAFTA Award for Best British Film.

**Where is *The Third Man* set?**
The film is set in post-war Vienna, reflecting the political and social atmosphere of the era.

**What is the relationship between *The Third Man* and Graham Greene’s novels?**
*The Third Man* was adapted from Graham Greene’s novel *The End of the Affair*, which was preceded by *The Heart of the Matter* (1984).

## Why It Matters
*The Third Man* is significant as a defining work of post-war British cinema, blending mystery, drama, and noir elements to explore themes of guilt and redemption. Its production by London Films and direction by Carol Reed contributed to its cultural impact, while its awards and critical acclaim cemented its place in film history. The film’s atmospheric setting in Vienna and its exploration of the shadowy underworld make it a standout in the thriller genre.

## Notable For
- Won the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix, a prestigious award for film excellence.
- Received the BAFTA Award for Best British Film, recognizing its contribution to British cinema.
- Blends multiple genres, including mystery, drama, thriller, and film noir.
- Set in post-war Vienna, capturing the political and social climate of the era.
- Adapted from Graham Greene’s novel *The End of the Affair*, a key work in his literary career.

## Body
### Overview
*The Third Man* is a 1949 film directed by Carol Reed, produced by London Films, and set in post-war Vienna. The film is classified as a mystery, drama, thriller, and film noir, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the shadowy underworld. It was a critical and commercial success, winning the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix and the BAFTA Award for Best British Film.

### Production and Direction
The film was directed by Carol Reed, an English filmmaker known for his contributions to British cinema. London Films, a British production company founded in 1932, produced *The Third Man*. The film’s production and direction were instrumental in its cultural impact and critical acclaim.

### Genre and Themes
*The Third Man* blends multiple genres, including mystery, drama, thriller, and film noir. The film explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the shadowy underworld, reflecting the political and social atmosphere of post-war Vienna. Its atmospheric setting and psychological depth set it apart in the thriller genre.

### Awards and Recognition
The film won the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix, a prestigious award for film excellence, and the BAFTA Award for Best British Film, recognizing its contribution to British cinema. These awards cemented *The Third Man*’s place in film history.

### Literary Adaptation
*The Third Man* was adapted from Graham Greene’s novel *The End of the Affair*, which was preceded by *The Heart of the Matter* (1984). This adaptation highlights Greene’s influence on the film’s narrative and thematic depth.

### Cultural Impact
*The Third Man* is a defining work of post-war British cinema, blending mystery, drama, and noir elements to explore themes of guilt and redemption. Its production by London Films and direction by Carol Reed contributed to its cultural impact, while its awards and critical acclaim cemented its place in film history. The film’s atmospheric setting in Vienna and its exploration of the shadowy underworld make it a standout in the thriller genre.

## References

1. AlloCiné
2. FilmAffinity
3. [Source](http://www.cinemarx.ro/filme/The-Third-Man-Al-treilea-om-20368.html)
4. IMDb
5. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/third-man-film-0)
6. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/trzeci-czlowiek)
7. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041959/fullcredits)
9. [Source](http://www.virtual-history.com/movie/film/2520/the-third-man)
10. [Source](http://kuenste-im-exil.de/KIE/Content/EN/Persons/michie-helga-en.html)
11. [Source](http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/world-war-ii-saga-gail-wiltshire-revisits-ilse-aichingers-novel/news-story/1db5017942c2b91c3c39f77f59366b4c?nk=08d9661df2065d3b725715355952f6f4-1480794158)
12. [Source](http://oe1.orf.at/programm/20161029/446731)
13. [Source](http://www.korrespondenzen.at/data/Michie1.html)
14. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
15. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1951)
16. The Movie Database
17. The Third Man
18. The Third Man. Rotten Tomatoes
19. Lexicon of international films
20. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041959/releaseinfo)
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. BBC Things
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24. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/third-man-the/)
25. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
26. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2020&s_month=5&e_year=2020&e_month=5&pageID=1)
27. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2009&s_month=12&e_year=2009&e_month=12&pageID=1)
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32. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/347C-43EF-B954-0199-9060-H)
33. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/79553)
34. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/73703)
35. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/The_Third_Man-PPKD4)
36. Kanopy
37. Trakt.tv
38. FilmVandaag.nl