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The Third Man

What is the third man?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Titel The Third Man[2]
År 1949[2]
Regissör Carol Reed[2]
Manusförfattare Graham Greene[2]
Miljö Wien[2]
Huvudperson Holly Martins[2]

The Third Man most commonly refers to the 1949 film noir directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene, set in postwar Vienna and centered on Holly Martins’s search for the truth about Harry Lime and a reported “third man.” [2] [1]

Context

The Third Man most commonly refers to the 1949 film noir directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene, set in postwar Vienna and centered on Holly Martins’s search for the truth about Harry Lime and a reported “third man” [2]. The story follows Holly Martins, who arrives in Vienna as a guest of Harry Lime and then investigates Lime’s death [2]. The “third man” is the shadowy figure reported to have been present when Lime’s body was carried away [2]. The title is also used for the “third man phenomenon,” an unseen presence reported in severe stress or life-threatening situations [1].

Documented claims

  • The Third Man is a 1949 film noir directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene. [2]
  • The story follows Holly Martins, who arrives in postwar Vienna to investigate the death of his friend Harry Lime. [2]
  • The “third man” is the shadowy figure reported to have been present when Lime’s body was carried away. [2]
  • The title also refers to the “third man phenomenon,” an unseen presence reported in severe stress or life-threatening situations. [1]

Questions and answers

Why is The Third Man so famous?

The Third Man is famous as a 1949 film noir directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene, set in postwar Vienna [2]. Its story of Holly Martins investigating Harry Lime’s death and the shadowy “third man” has made it a classic [2].

What is the story behind The Third Man?

The story follows Holly Martins, who arrives in postwar Vienna as a guest of Harry Lime and then investigates Lime’s death [2]. Harry Lime is said to have died in a road accident but is involved in selling harmful drugs [2]. The “third man” is the shadowy figure reported to have been present when Lime’s body was carried away [2].

What is The Third Man theory?

The “third man phenomenon” is an unseen presence reported in severe stress or life-threatening situations [1]. It is distinct from the film title, though both share the name [1].

Sources

  1. The Third Man Phenomenon - Dannye Chase — dannyechase.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. The Third Man - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ... — oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Culture