THE THIRD MAN - Anton Karas (Edit-with-ending)

The Third Man (1949) is a classic thriller directed by Carol Reed. Developed by Graham Greene from an idea jotted down on the flap of an envelope, this virtually flawless thriller is one of the best British films of all time. Set in postwar occupied Vienna, the plot is a corker, littered with memorable moments and played to perfection by an unforgettable cast that's led with distinction by Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten. A master of place, angle and shade, director Carol Reed (helped by his Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Krasker) fashions a city in which menace lurks around every corner, while Anton Karas's jaunty zither music uniquely echoes the wit and drama of this dark yet daringly playful picture.
The musical score was composed by Anton Karas and played by him on the zither. Before the production came to Vienna, Karas was an unknown wine bar performer. According to a November 1949 Time magazine article:

"The picture demanded music appropriate to post-World War II Vienna, but director Reed had made up his mind to avoid schmalzy, heavily orchestrated waltzes. In Vienna one night Reed listened to a wine-garden zitherist named Anton Karas, [and] was fascinated by the jangling melancholy of his music."

• Category

  Film & Animation

[DaftNotStupid]

Beautifully done

[Soundtrackcollector]

Thanks John. I'm glad you appreciate both the music and the vid.

[samarroon]

WOW , gotta hand it to ya here. what a visionary and expertly representative visual and audio feast you've created. Hats off to you !!! and THANKS! 

[Soundtrackcollector]

thank you for your positive comment.

[useakiss]

Fantastic editing. That was better than most trailers films get by their own production teams. What a great tribute!

[Soundtrackcollector]

many thanks ....glad you enjoyed it.

[michaeljayklein]

Beautiful work and a wonderful dedication to not only one of the world's finest motion pictures, but that timeless and wonderful music by Mr. Anton Karas. Greatly enjoyed!

[johnmartinpatrick]

NICE, VERY NICE!!! Very well put together.

But even today, I never knew the old Vienna before the war. Constantinople suited me better. Especially since it's Istanbul, not Constantiople, now it's Istanbul, nobody's business but the Turks.

The Third Man Museum is in Vienna, of all places. Check out its Facebook. They have the movie uniforms. This year, 2013, it the 100th anniv of Trevor's birth.

[MrLarryC11]

What a treat!! ...as regards the dancer in the 'Casanova Klub' - yes she is topless - this is post-war Vienna after all1

[MisterTalkingMachine]

Some of them do, but newer copies shoy it as the ´´Third man theme``, as my copy of ´´magnificent motion picture music`` (1961 LP) by Don Costa, voices and orchestra by United Artists recods does, but yes, the original title is ´´Harry Lime theme``

[Ron Card]

Great editing on the clip.

[astrorollnrock]

Truly wonderful music. But do my eyes deceive me? I'm sure the girl in the background from 0:52 to 0:55 was TOPLESS. I didn't know they allowed that in films in 1949!!

[xaxie1]

When this plays I keep on thinking of Zorba the Greek :O

[akmediascope]

It is such an upbeat pleasant song which really contrasted the wonderful and dark mysterious

film

[Soundtrackcollector]

Updated the YouTube video title for now.

[Mark Bolam]

Excellent. As a kid I remember this tune being used by the local Ice Cream van. Memories of hot summers and very cold ice cream.

[lopside0]

Orson Welles was irritated when nightclub bands played The Third Man's zither music whenever he turned up. I could imagine being vaguely annoyed if this became my theme song :).