In postwar Vienna, Austria, Holly Martins, a writer of pulp Westerns, arrives penniless as a guest of his childhood chum Harry Lime, only to learn he has died. Martins develops a conspiracy theory after learning of a "third man" present at the time of Harry's death, running into interference from British officer Major Calloway, and falling head-over-heels for Harry's grief-stricken lover, Anna.
        
        
                
            Directed by:
                        Carol Reed                    
        
                
            Starring:
                        Joseph Cotten,                        Alida Valli,                        Trevor Howard,                        Orson Welles,                        Paul Hörbiger,                        Ernst Deutsch