The Third Man

Movie review by Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media
The Third Man Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

As powerful and original now as it was in 1949.

NR 1950 93 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 3 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this movie sets out to entertain, and does so ingeniously, without blood or sensational violence. Still, the shadowy, suspenseful mood and wry dialogue may not appeal to some preteens, so this one is better for teens and their parents.

Community Reviews

Wife-mother-lawyer-laundress
Wife-mother-lawyer-laundress Adult
April 29, 2012
age 13+

CSM review got it right.

The CSM review got it right. To understand this movie teens will have to understand "black markets" and a little bit about post WW II history of dividing parts of Europe into zones controlled by the Allies and what it might mean to be repatriated to Eastern Europe.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
RandomKindaGuy
RandomKindaGuy Adult
December 9, 2010
age 12+

A good movie, a good story, but quite a heavy theme.

It is a cynical, gripping, but also very provocating thriller. It shows the depressingly crestfallen Vienna in the post-war world. Black Market, Disease and Substance Abuse are common themes. Apart from being an effective cultural and social commentary, it also questions the "All-American Hero" cliche, which many (mostly American movies) have picked up until today. The protagonist is a drunken, unlucky author of cheap novelettes, who acts very naive at times. The antagonist is a cunning, cold opportunist, who knows how to manipulate the characters. The policeman is an evenly calculative englishman, who may as well be seen as the secondary hero of the story. It has a great historical value, as most sceneries are authentic, because it was made in 1949. And don't forget the typical British humour. Intelligent plot, interesting characters, and creative components make this movie a highlight among, even Noire-films.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Great messages
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Set in postwar Vienna, this classic espionage movie follows the story of American writer Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten), who comes to Vienna because his old friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles) promised him employment. But Martins learns that Harry was killed in a car crash and that his friend had a criminal background and was, in fact, a killer. Martins finds himself caught up in the mystery surrounding Lime's death.

Is It Any Good?

Several factors contribute to make THE THIRD MAN as powerful and as stunningly original now as it was when it premiered to great acclaim in 1949. Graham Green's taut story and wonderfully snappy dialogue provide a strong foundation for some outstanding performances. Then there are the dank and glorious ruins of Vienna, exquisitely captured by Robert Krasker's Oscar-winning camerawork. And there's that music, a lone zither plucking jauntily away throughout the movie, even at the scene of a murder. Director Carol Reed's unconventional choice to have unknown musician Anton Karas perform the entire soundtrack met with objections, but it worked splendidly and made a star of Karas.

Orson Welles doesn't appear onscreen until two-thirds of the way through, but his presence is felt early on. The skewed camera angles, the imposing shadows; these, he said, were Reed's genius, but there's no mistaking the influence of his own Touch of Evil and Citizen Kane, which Welles and Joseph Cotten also starred in together. This is a movie that sets out to entertain, and does so ingeniously, without blood or sensational violence. The American Film Institute voted it number fifty-seven on their list of the 100 greatest American movies of all time.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the filmmaking techniques used in this 1949 film, and how it compares to the more action-oriented spy thrillers of today.

Movie Details

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