I mean, look, The Third Man is a damned classic. Scripted by Graham Greene and featuring some incredible performances from its leads, Carol Reed’s film is a masterpiece that never falters in its step to wedge paranoia straight down your throat.
Holly Martins (played by Joseph Cotten) is thrust into a world of uncertainty and suspicion within minutes of The Third Man’s opening. Perhaps it’s the use of the zither, stringed instrument known for its unusual sound, (as composed by Anton Karas), or perhaps it is the striking black-and-white cinematography by Robert Krasker as Vienna's urban landscape, with its narrow streets and alleyways, contributes to the film's sense of claustrophobia and mystery; either way, there is an undeniable sense of dread and paranoia which grips director Carol Reed’s classic film, The Third Man.
Now celebrating its 75th anniversary, this British Film Noir classic makes a stunning debut on 4K thanks to Lionsgate Limited, who have painstakingly remastered the print, including new art from William Walker, a 60-page booklet featuring on-set photos and new essays describing the impact of the film, a collector’s poster, and a grouping of four art cards.
The results are outstanding. The moral ambiguity of the film is matched only by the performances caught here as corruption and evil blur the line between justice and what’s good and evil. Set in post-World War II Vienna, which is divided into sectors controlled by the Allies, the film follows an American writer named Holly Martins (Cotten) who arrives in the city at the invitation of his old friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles). Upon arrival, Martins learns that Lime has died in a car accident. However, as Martins investigates his friend's death, he begins to uncover a web of deception and crime that leads him to suspect that Lime may not be dead after all.
But who exactly is Lime? Caught in the shadows, Welles - who has mere minutes of screen time here - flexes his muscle with a performance that is not to be missed. He is both fierce and ambiguous as Martins, who is loyal to his friend, learns that Lime is a fractured man - much like Vienna. It is a city divided and Lime, having faked his death, is profiting off of its loss of identity, having involved himself in a large-scale racketeering scheme involving counterfeit drugs.
And, much like the various sectors controlled by different Allied powers in Vienna, he is a fragmented man. Their relationship is uncertain. Just as is the future as Martins searches dark alleys and ducks shadows in pursuit of the truth concerning his missing friend. It’s only after British Major Calloway (played by Trevor Howard) approaches him that he begins to question just what the truth is and just who is manipulating who in this city that seems to reek of the damned uncertainty of post-war Europe.
Lionsgate Limited has another masterclass effort of restoration and packaging on their hands here. The Third Man remains a taut thrill ride from beginning to end and will leave you with many lingering questions as you watch as Anna (portrayed by actress Alida Valli) walks on by Martins, subverting the whole femme female archetype of film noir. It’s a moment which will leave you breathless.
The Third Man’s release by Lionsgate is an absolutely stunning 4K transfer, which preserves Carol Reed’s cinematic vision, as well as Robert Krasker’s starkly dramatic black-and-white cinematography. It is a REEL CLASSIC to own. Absolutely.)
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital - Lionsgate Limited Exclusive SteelBook
Home Video Distributor: Lionsgate
Available on Blu-ray - February 25, 2025
Screen Formats: 1.37:1
Subtitles: English SDH; Spanish
Video: HEVC; Native 4K; HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region A
Carol Reed's celebrated British noir THE THIRD MAN is widely regarded as 'The greatest British film of all time'. Brilliantly scripted by Graham Greene and set to Anton Karas' evocative zither score, this justly celebrated classic is further enhanced by Robert Krasker's Academy Award winning cinematography and Orson Welles in one of his most iconic screen roles. Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton, Citizen Kane), a naïve writer of pulp westerns, arrives in Vienna to meet his old friend Harry Lime (the incomparable Orson Welles) but finds that Lime has apparently been killed in a suspicious accident. Martins, too curious for his own good, hears contradictory stories about the circumstances of Lime's death and as witnesses disappear he finds himself chased by unknown assailants. Complicating matters are the sardonic Major Calloway (Trevor Howard, Brief Encounter), head of the British forces, and Lime's stage actress mistress, Anna Schmidt (Alida Valli). Will Martin's curiosity lead him to discover things about his old friend that he'd rather not know?
VIDEO
This crisp 4K transfer absolutely crackles with depth, definition, and details as we get looks at nightclubs, apartment buildings, and even the sewers of Vienna and it all looks amazingly handled. Even the night scenes are pocketed with details. The black-and-white photography here sizzles and the blacks and grays are handled expertly by the transfer.
AUDIO
The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track adds just the right touches to this paranoid thriller. There is some hiss but that’s to be expected considering the age of the recording.
Supplements:
This Lionsgate Limited exclusive offers a handsomely designed SteelBook that emphasizes black and dark blue tones on its front and rear panels. The front panel features Welles and Valli, while the back panel recreates one of the vertiginous shots in the sewers. The interior panels offer another illustrated version of a Viennese alleyway seen in the film. A digital copy is also included.
SteelBook art by William Walker
Lionsgate Limited Extras:
- Joseph Cotten’s Alternate Opening Voiceover Narration
- Noreen Ackland on Saving The Third Man
- The Third Man – A Filmmaker’s Influence
- Restoring The Third Man
- Shadowing The Third Man
- 75th-Anniversary Trailer
Commentary:
- Audio Commentary with Guy Hamilton, Simon Callow, and Angela Allen
Special Features:
56-page booklet featuring on-set photos and essays describing the cinematic impact of The Third Man
Collector’s poster
Four art cards:
- Two mockups of pulp Western paperback covers written by Holly Martins
- Anna Schmidt’s forged passport
- Original 1949 poster
The Third Man Interactive Tour
The Third Man on the Radio
Interview and Zither Performance by Cornelia Mayer
Behind-the-Scenes Still Gallery
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MPAA Rating: Approved.
Runtime: 104 mins
Director: Carol Reed
Writer: Graham Greene; Orson Welles; Alexander Korda
Cast: Orson Welles; Joseph Cotten; Alida Valli
Genre: Drama | Thriller | Film Noir
Tagline: Hunted by men...Sought by WOMEN!
Memorable Movie Quote: "Go home Martins, like a sensible chap. You don't know what you're mixing in, get the next plane."
Theatrical Distributor: Selznick Releasing Organization
Official Site: https://lionsgatelimited.com/products/third-man-collectors-edition-4k-steelbook?variant=42736945037423
Release Date: February 1, 1950
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: February 25, 2025.
Synopsis: Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, Harry Lime.
