The Third Man by Graham Greene. Summary of the book.

by

The Third Man by Graham Greene: Summary

The Third Man is a 1949 British film noir directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene. It stars Joseph Cotten as Holly Martins, a writer of pulp Westerns, who arrives in post-war Vienna to find that his friend, Harry Lime, played by Orson Welles, is dead. He soon discovers, however, that things are not what they seem, and he is soon drawn into a world of mystery, crime, and intrigue.

The Third Man is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, and is noted for its atmospheric cinematography, excellent performances, and unique score. It is also renowned for its use of black-and-white imagery, dynamic camera angles, and ominous soundtrack.

Plot Summary

Holly Martins arrives in post-war Vienna to meet his old friend, Harry Lime. He discovers, however, that his friend has been killed in a car accident. Martins soon learns that Lime was involved in a shady business, and was wanted by the police. He meets Lime’s associates, including Major Calloway, who warns Martins against getting involved in Lime’s affairs. Martins is determined to find out the truth, and eventually discovers that Lime is alive and living in Vienna. He confronts Lime, who admits to his criminal activities.

Martins agrees to help Lime escape from the police, but eventually realizes that Lime is a dangerous criminal and turns him in. Lime is shot and killed as he attempts to flee. Martins is left in despair, realizing that he has done the right thing, but feeling guilty for betraying his friend.

Themes and Analysis

The Third Man is a story about morality and justice. It explores the idea of whether the ends justify the means, and whether it is ever possible to make the right decision in an ambiguous situation. The film also examines the idea of guilt, and how one can live with the consequences of their actions. The main characters are all flawed, and the film suggests that it is only through understanding and accepting their flaws that they can move on with their lives.

The film also examines the idea of loyalty and friendship, and the difficulties that arise when one is faced with a difficult moral dilemma. Martins is torn between his loyalty to his friend and his sense of justice, and is ultimately forced to choose between the two. The film suggests that loyalty and justice are not always compatible, and that sometimes it is necessary to make a difficult decision in order to do what is right.

Interesting Facts

  • The Third Man was shot entirely on location in Vienna and the surrounding area. It is noted for its use of the city as a character in its own right, and the contrasting shots of Vienna’s beauty and its grim post-war reality.
  • The famous Third Man Theme was written for the film by composer Anton Karas. The theme was a smash hit and was used in numerous other films and television shows.
  • The film was nominated for numerous awards, including several Academy Awards. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, and has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

FAQs

  • What is The Third Man about?
    The Third Man is a 1949 British film noir directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene, which tells the story of Holly Martins, a writer of pulp Westerns, who arrives in post-war Vienna to find that his friend, Harry Lime, is dead. He soon discovers, however, that things are not what they seem, and he is soon drawn into a world of mystery, crime, and intrigue.
  • Who wrote The Third Man?
    The Third Man was written by Graham Greene and directed by Carol Reed.
  • What is the Third Man theme?
    The Third Man theme is a famous piece of music written for the film by composer Anton Karas. The theme was a smash hit and was used in numerous other films and television shows.
  • What awards did The Third Man win?
    The Third Man was nominated for numerous awards, including several Academy Awards. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, and has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

Related books:

  1. Mastery by Robert Greene. Summary of the book.
  2. The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene. Summary of the book.
  3. Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene. Summary of the book.
  4. The Ministry of Fear by Graham Greene. Summary of the book.
  5. Travels with My Aunt by Graham Greene. Summary of the book.
  6. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene. Summary of the book.
  7. Brighton Rock by Graham Greene. Summary of the book.
  8. A Gun for Sale by Graham Greene. Summary of the book.
  9. Waterland by Graham Swift. Summary of the book.
  10. Journey into Fear by Eric Ambler. Summary of the book.
  11. The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien. Summary of the book.
  12. Etiquette by Emily Post. Summary of the book.
  13. Epitaph for a Spy by Eric Ambler. Summary of the book.
  14. Lyrical Ballads, With a Few Other Poems (1798) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. Summary of the book.
  15. Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. Summary of the book.
  16. The Post Office by Rabindranath Tagore. Summary of the book.
  17. The Man Without Qualities by Robert Musil. Summary of the book.
  18. The Polygots by William Gerhardie. Summary of the book.
  19. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom. Summary of the book.
  20. The Debacle by Emile Zola. Summary of the book.
  21. History of the World War: An Authentic Narrative of the World’s Greatest War by Beamish and March. Summary of the book.
  22. The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Summary of the book.
  23. The Forever war by Joe Haldeman (1974). Summary of the book.
  24. On War by Carl von Clausewitz. Summary of the book.
  25. Memoirs of General William T. Sherman — Complete by William T. Sherman. Summary of the book.
  26. The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh. Summary of the book.
  27. Old Man’s War by John Scalzi (2005). Summary of the book.
  28. Empire of the Sun by JG Ballard. Summary of the book.
  29. The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick (1962). Summary of the book.
  30. A Bend in the River by VS Naipaul. Summary of the book.
  31. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. Summary of the book.
  32. Chosen by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (2008). Summary of the book.
  33. The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova. Summary of the book.
  34. The Girls of Slender Means by Muriel Spark. Summary of the book.
  35. Slaughter-House Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Summary of the book.
  36. Augustus Carp, Esq. by Himself: Being the Autobiography of a Really Good Man. Summary of the book.
  37. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce (1916). Summary of the book.
  38. Lady Audley’s Secret by Mary E Braddon. Summary of the book.
  39. Diary of a Mad Old Man by Junichiro Tanizaki. Summary of the book.
  40. Man and Superman: A Comedy and a Philosophy by Bernard Shaw. Summary of the book.
  41. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1868). Summary of the book.
  42. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells (1897). Summary of the book.
  43. Every Man in His Humor by Ben Jonson. Summary of the book.
  44. A Married Man by Piers Paul Read. Summary of the book.
  45. The History Man by Malcolm Bradbury. Summary of the book.
  46. The Shrimp and the Anemone by LP Hartley. Summary of the book.
  47. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (1952). Summary of the book.
  48. White Man Falling by Mike Stocks. Summary of the book.
  49. The Invisible Man: A Grotesque Romance by H. G. Wells. Summary of the book.
  50. Boy in the Ivy: The Inner Child of a Buried Man by T. McKinley. Summary of the book.

Leave a Comment