Studiocanal is thrilled to mark the 75th anniversary of one of cinema's most celebrated masterpieces, The Third Man. Following its highly anticipated 4K restoration release in UK cinemas this September, the iconic British classic will be available for the first time ever on 4K UHD, debuting on 4th November 2024 as part of Studiocanal’s prestigious Vintage Classics Collection.
Written by acclaimed novelist Graham Greene (‘Brighton Rock', ‘The Fallen Idol') and directed by Carol Reed (‘Oliver!', ‘The Fallen Idol'), ‘The Third Man' features unforgettable performances from Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles (‘Citizen Kane'), Alida Valli (‘Eyes Without a Face'), and Trevor Howard (‘Brief Encounter'). Renowned for its razor-sharp dialogue, Oscar-winning cinematography, and iconic zither score by Anton Karas, this noir thriller holds a firm place in the pantheon of British cinema. Special features for the 4K UHD Anniversary Collector’s Edition will be announced soon.
The story follows Holly Martins (Cotten), an American pulp Western writer who arrives in a war-ravaged Vienna at the invitation of his childhood friend Harry Lime (Welles), only to discover that Harry has recently died under suspicious circumstances. As Holly investigates, he becomes entangled in a web of deception involving British officer Major Calloway (Howard) and Harry’s former lover, Anna (Valli). His search for the elusive “third man” at the scene of Harry's death raises more questions than answers.
With its atmospheric black-and-white cinematography by Robert Krasker, which won the Academy Award, and its iconic tilted camera angles, ‘The Third Man' masterfully captures post-war Vienna’s intrigue and tension. The film’s famous Ferris wheel scene, featuring Welles’ chilling “Cuckoo Clock” speech, remains one of the most memorable moments in cinematic history and later appeared in the James Bond movie ‘The Living Daylights'. Voted the greatest British film of all time by the British Film Institute, ‘The Third Man' continues to captivate audiences with its timeless suspense and stylistic brilliance.
This anniversary edition celebrates the second collaboration between Greene and Reed, following their success with ‘The Fallen Idol'. Greene’s screenplay weaves a gripping tale of post-war profiteering, set against the backdrop of Vienna, a city divided by the four Allied powers at the dawn of the Cold War. Reed, who had already earned BAFTA awards for ‘Odd Man Out' and ‘The Fallen Idol', went on to win the BAFTA for Best British Film for ‘The Third Man', while also taking home the Grand Prix at Cannes and receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Director.
Don’t miss the chance to experience ‘The Third Man' in stunning 4K on the big screen from 6th September, and for the first time on 4K UHD starting 4th November. Pre-order on Amazon.
Special Features:
- Pop-up Music Box
- 64 page Booklet with Brand New Essays
- Fully annotated Shooting Script
- Set of Artcards – The Book Covers of Holly Martins, Anna’s Passport and the original The Third Man Poster
- Poster of Brand New Artwork by Nico Delort
