The Third Man - Final Scene

Anna walks out of Holly Martins' life.

[@Horror-Man]

One of the saddest, most delicately beautiful endings of all time.

[@normanmeharry58]

And a good debating point for what the movie means. Greene thought an entertainment so favoured a happy ending. Reed saw profundity and this was the one. Thank goodness.

[@fede018]

@Bruno56 SHE was no good for him? You got it backwards, pal. And I agree that it's not a sad ending.

[@Kurodo222]

@@fede018 the person you replied to deleted their comment but you're wrong. She wasn't good for him, he was a good guy who deserves better than someone who sympathises with a child killer

[@brickhouse7401]

@@Kurodo222 I agree. Somehow Martins, a person with morals, fell under the spell of the unethical Anna, when all she could feel was the charisma of the disgusting Harry Lime.

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

@@brickhouse7401 Before then he was under the spell of Harry Lime.

[@carolcallas]

She won’t even look at him, not while dropping dirt in Harry’s grave, she won’t pass by the Jeep he’s standing by, she won’t even acknowledge him standing in the road. He lights a cigarette in frustration and throws the match away...she has extinguished his flame 🔥 without even speaking. The poetic power of silence in this closing scene is simply astonishing.

[@lesg.7983]

Well stated.

[@Kidraver555]

Sounds like you are expert at playing with men's emotion's, sexual power will not get you the respect you really want, you have to earn that.

[@Felipe4352]

Estoy de acuerdo. Esa escena final realmente me hace pedazos.

[@barrycroucher602]

What a great ending to a great film !

[@henryseidel5469]

It leaves the decision of who is right and who is wrong up to the audience. What a great ending: Not happy and not sad.

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

One way to look at The Third Man is that it's about a man having his illusions of himself and his place in the world shattered one by one. This closing shot, with Anna completely ignoring him as she walks past, is the final brick through the window.

[@jeanharper2790]

Really! I strongly disagree. Anna barely knew him (Holly Martins) and had zero interest in him. She was deeply in love with the scoundrel Harry Lime, who was trying to stay one step ahead of the law. She was a lost cause and Holly was rather a romantic! Women don't encourage men in situations such as these by looking at them, smiling, nodding, or otherwise acknowledging by them, men misinterpret! If Anna had done so, it would have sent a signal to Holly that he would misinterpret. She wanted to be alone with her pain. As to Holly and his illusions, I just don't think his character is that deep. He barely reacted to Harry's speech at the ferris wheel! He just knows Harry did something bad. I adore all of the actors, and it's been my favorite film since high school. I'm 70 now, seen many films, this one at least 8 times, and if I live long enough I'll see it 8 more.😂 Thanks for letting me sound off.

[@magloyd4907]

​@@jeanharper2790 Others have said that Holly represents American optimism not understanding a jaded, cynical, exhausted post-war Europe, and having his romantic notions of Harry and her crushed by reality.

[@magloyd4907]

It's been interpreted as American optimism meeting a jaded, cynical, exhausted, post war Europe.

[@jeanharper2790]

@@magloyd4907 Personally, I think the cat had a lot more to to say!

[@larrykelly-kf5pp]

@@magloyd4907harry was American wasn’t he? So… jaded cynical profiteer American meets optimistic American? (Two paths? Which will America choose?) Would Anne be exhausted beaten up Europe in this scenario?

[@Tocsin-Bang]

One of the greatest films of all time.

[@patrickboone6960]

Stephen Cook yes

[@tonybennett4159]

@@patrickboone6960 Yes, its one of those films like The Innocents, for example, where it's difficult to think of any way in which they could be improved.

[@RichardStephens-bt6or]

I'd say the greatest.

[@henryseidel5469]

This scene is a unique witness of the emotionality of the post war period. Nothing compares to that. Absolutely great.

[@jwmc41]

Yes, and no one else could have made or played the music like Anton Karas

[@henryseidel5469]

@@jwmc41 He was the most capable and the cheapest band to accompany the plot of a movie.

[@alessandrocaboni5882]

Magnifico. 2:08

[@joelonzello4189]

My Mother saw ruined cities like that making her way back to Germany from Krakow. Lost her at 96.

[@janetwolfman7100]

Just watched this last long shot scene a dozen times. Amazed at the subtlety of the acting and the music. Really leaves one with a lump in the throat and tears. This has got to be one of the best endings in the history of cinema

[@pato2200]

Yes. so understated and subtle but heartwrenchingly powerful.

[@raymondgood6555]

I’ve always thought it was the single greatest scene in movie history

[@marycrow3939]

@@raymondgood6555 I agree

[@carefulconsumer8682]

“The location at the end of the film is one of the main avenues of the cemetery, Zentral-Friedhof, Vienna, which runs southeast from Section 59E to Section 64. Lime’s interment takes place in Section 43A, just southwest of the church.” From what I read. One of the most classic scenes in film history captured by this director.

[@carlospach654]

Agreed

[@paacer]

Pure genius ending from the Director . Mesmerising performance from Alida Valli as Anna .

[@peterallebone6446]

The best ending of any film - ever! When I first saw it as a kid, I thought how amazing it would be if the camera just waited for her to pass - in real time, but was sure they never would . . . and then they did! Loved it then, still do now!

[@pato2200]

I agree. It is so understated but that adds to its poignancy and power

[@m.carmensanchezagudo4004]

And then you think the cut to Calloway will bring a little ellipsis to shorten her walk... And no! Glorious!!

[@johnmckillop7741]

I have loved that movie, and especially it's final scene, for about 70 years - so far. I can't watch it without tears.

[@Lowtread]

I love that she walks past the viewer as well so that you viscerally experience the same cold expression of indifference that Holly does!

[@seandafny]

Felt so bad for him. This is my life. I experience this sometimes twice a day.

[@ramonmiranda223]

can't agree more! she walks past the camera off at an angle vs her coming straight at the camera before this; no choice, actually.

[@andrewmasters8212]

Such a beautiful ending, and totally consistent with the story. It would have made no sense for Anna and Martins to end up together. A few other things I love about this scene: 1. When Martins leans against that cart it's like he's standing in a painting. 2. The music is stunning. I love the discordant twang that Karas throws in from time to time.

[@hectorlp1298]

Yes. The scene after Holly leaves the jeep is about a minute as she walks up the avenue of trees. It's a bit reminiscent of David Lean's direction in Lawrence of Arabia. There can be very few more stunning scenes. Or more perfect films.

[@thomashogan16]

The priest is saying the Apostles' Creed over the grave. Same one as we said at Mass today. Timeless, this movie and its message. Love. No matter. Tears.

[@humblescribe8522]

I first saw this at a University Film Club showing in the 80s, and it was this ending that sold the film to me, wholeheartedly. I was expecting the big Hollywood reconciliation. When she just walks past him and off down the arcarde of trees, I literally gasped. Yet it felt so right, so completely in keeping with what we know of Anna, that I couldn't help reflect on how every decision the film had made seemed to be the right one. Thirty years later, this is still my favourite film, and I watch it every year.

[@raymondgood6555]

Me too!!

[@py8554]

Hollywood no longer makes movies with this kind of ending. And neither the ending like Casablanca or the Roman Holiday.

[@obscure.reference]

@@py8554 la la land was less than ten years ago

[@py8554]

@@obscure.reference Indeed LaLaLand is a rare exception to my observation, and being a film that was made with many a tributes to movies from the bygone eras it may not be so much of surprise. Personally I don’t like the movie but I really love the ending.

[@sobojetty]

The mother of all movie endings!

[@0276boy]

The most soul-renching ending of any movie ever made. I weep to this day watching it. The finest and most haunting exploration of love the world has ever seen on the screen.

[@brickhouse7401]

Totally agree

[@seandafny]

Watch paranormal activity 3

[@Bu-bo-Bu-bo]

I first saw the movie when i was 8, and only began to feel it when i felt love. But since then i have seen it maybe 10 or 15 times. It's a very powerful movie.

[@deanwalker9605]

You clearly haven't seen La Strada

[@henryseidel5469]

Is it really love to adore someone who easily sacrifices an despises human lives for his own greediness ? I don't think so.

[@rogkeista1]

This sends shivers down my spine. Cinema at its best.

[@ProofreadEnglish]

There was an argument between the screenwriter, Graham Greene and the director/producer on how to end the picture. In Greene's initial draft/novella, Anna goes off with Rollo (Holly). But Selznick and Reed felt this "happy ending" would be too artificial. And they definitely made the right call. To me, it was clear through the whole picture that the person Anna loved was Harry - no matter what he had done (including to her). And she could not forgive Holly's betrayal. It would have diluted her character (and been entirely inconsistent with the rest of the film) if she'd thrown her previous principles aside and gone off with Holly. If you watch the other scene with her and Holly (just before Harry appears in the street), he does realise that his love for her is unrequited. There's nothing he can say or do that will make her return his love because Harry is constantly on her mind - even if she believes him dead.

[@brickhouse7401]

Lime was intensely corrupt and psychopathic yet Anna's devotion to him seems somehow authentic even though she's very intelligent and knows what he reaĺly is.

[@normanmeharry58]

Isn't that love perfectly captured?

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

"A person doesn't change just because you find out more." - Anna

[@marcuscato9083]

Definitely glad that Graham Greene didn’t get his way here. That would feel so wrong.

[@AlunThomas-mp5qo]

@@marcuscato9083 I totally agree with you, it makes a realistic ending. Far too many films end with a ludicrous romance that would NEVER happen in real life.

[@JoseCortes-on6uy]

A single sustained long shot briefly interrupted by a take of Trevor Howard taking off in his jeep. It's funny how a scene like this can make one gape in astonishment - it's like a tightrope act - while multi-million-dollar movies bursting at the seams with digital effects, frenzied cutting, backstory instead of drama, plus violence and cruelty, and nihilism as a pose cynically marketed as "realism", are so yawn-inducing. Those are my two bits. Thank you for reading.

[@xlz24]

Sir, this is a Wendy's.

[@elih9700]

Outfuckingstanding sir.

[@chrismorrison2805]

this shot has stayed with me for days....I am so sad for the future of humans...real art has been replaced with wanting more.

[@seandafny]

Ok but Endgame was great too

[@gardensofthegods]

So true , as the saying goes , they don't make 'em like they used to .

[@CJBlanda]

One of the10 Best films in film history.

[@donniedarko1234]

this IS one of the best ending in all of cinema. the cherry on top for such a great film

[@ratherknotty]

This perfect, final piece of brilliant music by Anton Karas is "Farewell to Vienna"

[@QMPhilosophe]

I agree wholeheartedly. My favorite ending from any film. It's devastating. The entire film is a work of art. Not one bad shot.

[@bill291212]

That wailing zither gives me chills.

[@gokhansayram]

One of the best ending shots ever recorded. Look at the photography!

[@RedOcktober]

that ending... that magnificent ending... --Mike

[@sergio42868]

And the magic of the place where the scene takes place

[@patricktee6305]

The compelling, yet understated, final scene from "The third man" (1949), a film I haven't forgotten even after 70+ years.

[@johnthatcher2014]

best closing scene in the history of cinema

[@gerrydonnelly9882]

The greatest masterpiece of cinema ever created. I have watched it over 50 times and I can not find a flaw in the entire movie! In vienna a few years ago , went on the prater (the ferris wheel )and stood in the famous doorway. Joseph Cotton s voice echoing across the cobble streets and Anton Karras zither playing in my head.

[@johnfellows2867]

Went to Vienna about 20 years ago and did exactly the same !

[@stephenvanwoert2447]

No flaw? How about illumination in the sewer system? Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@stephenvanwoert2447]

@@johnfellows2867 For me, 30 years ago at the Prater. The ferris wheel and the roller coaster. A real kick.

[@jdecastilla6545]

The saddest scene in movie history

[@NormAppleton]

It's sad but it's so honest. I felt sad the first time I saw it but I feel better every time since. Holly loses here but Anna doesn't. They both will look back on this time with love but they weren't going to end up together.

[@raymondgood6555]

@Randy White guess you’ve never been in love

[@modestmouse9451]

Greatest movie ending scene of all time.

[@tamazpatarkalashvili2811]

Unforgettable film and music, can see and listen everyday

[@scopex2749]

A superb film but sad in many ways The music was AWESOME by Anton Karas and Orson Welles was a masterpiece!! The sadest ending of any movie in all time.............. I was only young when I first saw this wonderful movie and fell head over heels for Valli. Such a stunning looking actress her presence on film was electrifying. Sad for me now as my late father LOVED the film and the music - it always reminds me of him.

[@peterallebone6446]

The music WAS awesome - and amazingly, the only Oscar category for which the film wasn`t nominated?!

[@_dan_gutierrez]

For the saddest ending of all time, I will direct you to the end of The Breaking Point (1950) a noir film starring John Garfield. The young boy left fatherless is sadder and heartbreaking, and much worse than the ending of this film. I do agree that the ending of the Third Man is one of the best endings ever crafted in film on multiple levels. It is the quintessential noir ending.

[@ziggerwebdesign1704]

I did the Third Man tour in Vienna years ago and was fine until, in the cellar of a little bar, a lovely lady played the theme on a zither. "Are you crying?" asked my wife. The greatest film of all time.

[@firefightergoggie]

Every frame of this movie was like a portrait. Outstanding ending.

[@dashawnmitchell832]

That was breathtaking

[@brickhouse7401]

You nailed it.

[@InvisibleRightLegLad]

I've seen this movie many, many times. The ending makes me well up with tears about 1 in 3 times. It's just so perfect.

[@henryseidel5469]

That was the first movie my grandpa watched in a cinema after he had come home from a POW camp in 1948. He told me of this movie all his life long whenever I met him. And when he heard Anton Karas' cither on the radio there was silence in the room immediately, the family sat down without anyone telling them, and they listened attentively to the beautiful tune without saying a single word.

[@johnm7012]

My dad loved it too. Here is a very nice rendition played on guitar by Evangelos Assimakopoulos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGfYoZennLumd7c

[@brickhouse7401]

Mother told me she saw this film around 1948 on a date after spending WW2 in the Women's Land Army. She had to go back, alone, to the theater to see the film again the next evening, because it haunted her.

[@brickhouse7401]

@Randy White 'Around' 1948 ie '47, '49, or a bit earlier or later. 'Around' is vernacular for 'approximately' when one is discussing dates.

[@billybizar]

@@brickhouse7401 wrong answer. You have to be precise. Considering the fact that the release date was on 31 augustus 1949 in the UK and even much later in the US makes your answer inadequate. Much better would be: ´around ´50 ´.

[@brickhouse7401]

@@billybizar Listen to yourself. 'Wrong answer?' Give me a break. Thank her for her service. She's 102 and she might like that

[@martial234]

The ending shot gets me going emotionally everytime, everytime! The gloomness and music just some up everything that I would expect to feel in a post-war period. The whole film is absolutly magnificent!

[@windstorm1000]

This ending is so simple--simply devastating. You don't need CGI, explosions to create good films--don't tell today's filmakers that!!!

[@matthewgrasso7167]

Such a great ending. It's devastating, beautiful, and kinda funny. Almost every guy has had that experience of some girl they were in love with but she isn't into him and worse, the person she's hung up on doesn't give a shit about her and at some point all you can do is give up and say "Goddam it", I love the way Martins throws the match at the end.

[@brickhouse7401]

Yeah apparently Joseph Cotton (Martins) winged that cigarette and match thing. Wasn't in script. I like that part too. Glad you noticed it. If you watch the end of Scorsese's 'The Departed', very similar

[@stephenvanwoert2447]

"One loves, the other is loved." --from "Of Human Bondage."

[@alessandrocaboni5882]

Wonderful ❤️

[@jeanharper2790]

The stunning Valli, with whom every man in the film falls in love, walks down the lane of trees with no leaves accompanied by the zither music of the great Anton Karas. This is my favorite film.

[@marianosolivellas8090]

Best british movie of XX century. This scene is wonderful.

[@ChristopherSyn1]

The most electrifying scene in film history.

[@NormAppleton]

No, but close

[@steelmank4771]

As a youngster I watched this movie with my dad. Despite being one of hundreds, it left a lasting impression I haven't felt duplicated in 65+ years since. I credit the haunting theme of "The Third Man." It's played so effectively on the zither, this closing scene conveys to the viewer the loneliness Anna feels in her walk - as well as the helplessness Martins has in his desire to aid her. This movie's plot, musical score, skillful acting and the camera angles of this closing scene are the sum of it's parts that create this Extraordinary Classic indeed !

[@probono3284]

I think this is the best film ever made. I must have watched it 20 times but it’s just as brilliant now as when I first saw it. There are so many magic moments - my favourite is when the cat is at Harry Lime’s shoe then we see him for the first time and the music changes. I love the fact that so many others feel the same, I wish we could all meet one day in Vienna!

[@normanmeharry58]

Decent film making is made up of 'hot-spots'... the more the better usually. But this movie has such a glut of good visual and dialogue hot-spots to spoil the discerning audience and then it's topped off with Karas' music.. What an achievement

[@brickhouse7401]

@Pro Bono Third Man movie locations tour. Sign me up

[@les13robinson]

A hauntingly beautiful, melancholy scene. The sense of sadness and desolation made more so by the inability of the characters to communicate. A masterful film, where music has the power to transform the ordinary to something truly extraordinary. My favourite film, along with David Lean's Doctor Zhivago.

[@holgerhansen7078]

If you believe in love, you'll realize that this is the best film ending ever.

[@normanmeharry58]

This is love perfectly captured.

[@seandafny]

@@normanmeharry58 how so

[@brianflynn5355]

@@seandafny You're obviously too stupid to know.

[@Lalaland-q2z]

@@normanmeharry58 or divorce.

[@marciofernando679]

Cena mais linda da história do cinema

[@jamesdrynan]

The skeletal trees in black and white frame the finale of The Third Man. Brilliant direction by Carol Reed. Bitterly sweet zither music paints a picture of loss and heartache.

[@stonesofvenice]

My favorite movie ever.

The longest, most devastating walk in movie history. Marilyn Monroe fans eat your heart out!

[@brickhouse7401]

Quite right! Amazing, heartbreaking..

[@Frege100]

I heard that neither Cotton nor Valli knew what was going on when the scene was filmed. Cotton had no idea that Aldi had been told to walk past him. I always thought this was a great Graham Greene moment with devotion and faith edging out earthly compromise but in fact his original ending was a happy one and Reed changed it. Greene later agreed with him.

[@JamesLeaveyConnections]

Been to that very spot 25 years ago. Couldn't find Joseph Cotten's discarded cigarette...but I can dream. Great film, and cemetery. Followed in the footsteps of Harry Lime. Had a memorable lunch at the Hotel Sacher with The Third Man's assistant film director. Wrote several articles about Carol Reed's brilliant British movie..🎬🎼😎❤

[@simonyeo3246]

Makes me want to start smoking again

[@kevingarrett2330]

I like happy endings. Imagine what would have happened if she had gone with him. She would have been cold and distant, saving her love for a man who didn’t really love anyone else but himself. She, knew this about herself and did Holly a favor by passing him by.

[@markmaki4460]

Sometimes a Disney ending is the worst ending. Thank goodness at least 20,000 Leagues was an exception.

[@FISCHER-71]

Devastating, emotional and powerful, this music has immortalised "The Third Man" in the history of cinema.

[@Eduananoqutadra]

the camerawork is amazing. I you go to the cemetery it is obviously much shorter than it appears with clever camera work.

[@moviemonk1000]

Carol Reed a true artist insured that his ending would nbe timeless ..and so it is for viewers to ponder and isnt that what great cinema is all about?

[@merccadoosis8847]

Superb directing by Carol Reed.

[@義満後藤]

初めての海外旅行先が、ベルギーでした。街角の楽器店で、あの魅惑的なチターが飾られているではありませんか。買いました。ホテルに戻り、ドレミを弾いてみると、微妙に音がズレていました。弦を巻き戻してもダメ。勇を鼓して楽器店に戻り、「レ」の音がおかしいから何とかしてくれ、と。店主は終始しっかりとわたしの日本語に耳を傾けていました。やがて店主、奥から高価そうな装飾の、別のチターを取り出してきて、自ら第三の男を演奏し始めました。とろけるような名演奏。終わって、そのチターを、店主はわたしに差し出しました。わたしは英語も、フランス語も一切できません。この間のやり取りはすべて身振り手振りです。そのチターはわたしの異国での素晴らしい形見となりました

[@jas20per]

I have watched this film many times and enjoyed it. But there is one thing in this final scene that grinds my gears, Firstly leaves falling from trees with no leaves and you never see them land on the ground also, the scene with Trevor Woward in the Jeep there are no leaves on the road. Nonetheless one of the best finest "Film Noir "ever made

[@marciofernando679]

São as poucas que ainda estão caindo e cada vez que vejo moto uma que não tinha notado cena poderosa e emocionante sem um dialogo na travessia

[@donbuck8110]

Orson Wells said he had no imput in this but liked the idea of showing up half way into the movie because he thought it would be the most effective because it worked for him when he was doing plays. The scene with the coco clock lines was his and it worked well with J Cotten because the were old friends. BTW, Greg Toland did all the camera work. Great movie from start to finish.I saw it once on the big screen once.

[@4Topwood]

No, Gregg Toland did not do the camera work. Robert Krasker was the cinematographer and won the Academy Award for his work.

[@12classics39]

The most anti-cliche ending of all time. The hero doesn’t get the girl. And yet, somehow, we’re not mad about it. That is clever writing right there.

[@harrylimeracketeer]

Sometimes I just gotta watch this scene.

[@Pancrasio-it9qd]

😎

[@ichirofakename]

Every time I watch this clip, she walks RIGHT PAST HIM. Dang...

[@Jonathan7768]

Yup - every time.

[@cataripadovani3317]

such a great film, great acteurs and a marvellous music played by a realy great musician

[@jpsned]

My parents and I loved this film... ❤️

[@thelawofitself]

If you want to see an old man cry, then just show me this scene. Unforgotten, Mr. Anton Karras may you rest in peace 😢

[@larryboyes7276]

If there is a scene in any film with more appropriate music, I've yet to witness it.

[@thelawofitself]

@@larryboyes7276 Amen to that🙏

[@moodyfeverdream]

devastating indeed. very few films have struck me with an ending as strong as this. the only other that has come close is the final shot in the 400 blows.

[@LDixon007]

*Exactly!*

[@giuseppeisoli313]

Magnifico finale. Uno dei migliori visti!

[@marciofernando7313]

A muito procurava este final!!! Lembro que quando vi esta cena pela primeira vez uma lágrima escorreu dos meus olhos😢😢😢 essa cena e de uma beleza espetacular e principalmente o instrumental de fundo👏👏👏a mais bela poesia já filmada em película❤💕

[@dizbang3073]

She's broken my heart about 25 times.

[@seandafny]

Lol

[@halwasserman7905]

So beautiful. You have to wonder in an industry where filmmakers copy each other all the time why there has never been another movie remotely like The Third Man.

[@johnzajac9849]

The officer who drove off knew what it was all about. Marvelous ending of this grand film. We're going to pour ourselves another Scotch, listen to the zither theme, and shed a tear.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Just caught this final scene on the TV, fantastic from when he gets out of the car 🤩

[@dizbang3073]

Even the way he tosses his match right at the end ... just perfect.

[@LewisSkeeter]

So true. The timing was flawless.

[@pauldeering6531]

Its all about the atmosphere..the atmosphere completes the film.

[@nicholaskoulianos381]

She embodies post-WWII European anomie. Very moving. Headed into uncertainty.

[@tonysilver7937]

One of my favourite movie scenes great music too !!

[@Nojnotpu]

@ron101346 I totally agree. Never mind about the greatest endings, this must have been one of the greatest movies ever made. The war torn Vienna setting, the Austrian actors used for the likes of Baron Kutz, Doctor Winkel, the caretaker at Lime's flat and so on were wonderful. Add to this, the music of Anton Karas (discovered in a Vienna wine bar) and the fabulous lighting and camara work. Not to mention the appearance of Orson Wells in the doorway. Just wonderful fantastic stuff.

[@L0r3n2]

To me the most realistic ending in all of cinema. Some endings should just be painful.

[@brickhouse7401]

Quite right. A heartbreaking final scene like this.. how could we ever forget

[@normanmeharry58]

It just destroys me everytime. I prepare myself for it... bite my lip, dog my nails in my palm... distract myself with pain... but she walks forever towards me & I'm weeping.

[@bigcoolviking]

One of the Most Iconic clips in Movie History, magical.

[@musikafossora]

I wish I could watch this for the first time again...this scene took my breath away.

[@seandafny]

One can’t just... leave...

[@arap_brandich]

Anna walking out of his life must be one of the saddest in the history of motion pictures. No effects, just raw emotion.

[@alexanderball923]

Nobody makes a film like this today. Unfortunately such artistry with all of it's honesty and subtlety is gone from film today. The Third Man will live forever at the pinnacle of film making.

[@peterh8553]

I can't help but contrast this ending with the Casablanca movie ending . Both great movie endings, one of great hope the other of despair .

[@gerrydonnelly9882]

To hold that shot for so long! Reed was a genius. I believe he had 2 prop guys on ladders casting leaves around cottons feet That look that Wells gives to the camera in the doorway scene, conveys Limes character more than multiple pages of dialogue. Graham Greens script, Orson Welles magnetic charm , Cottons decent American, Valli's nieve European beauty, Howard's and Bernard Lee flawless portrayal of the english class system, every actor gives a master class performance, down to the smallest nuanced detail. Finally Anton Karras musical score sends a shiver through my nervous system every time I hear it. A hundred years in the future someone will watch this and feel the same way

[@QMPhilosophe]

I love how the camera lingers for so long on Holly.

[@johnwilliamknox7156]

This is movie Royalty! Made before it's Time a beautiful piece of historical significance and possibly to the world it's self ....Xx Priceless...xx

[@WSenator1]

I would pity the person who asked Martins after he came back to the States: "So tell me - how'd your trip go?"

[@cainocrodrigue]

The greatest curve in cinematic history

[@williamhicks7736]

Such perfection… the framing, the pacing, the music…. I cry every time she passes through… 😭…

[@edwardsiu4266]

I wish I could see this film and especially the ending on the big screen. Perfect.

[@lesfer]

Devastating. An absolute masterpiece.

[@yvesmeyrueis8156]

Absolument !

[@alancostin3225]

A Truly Great Film. Difficult to Describe Absolute Sheer Brilliance.

[@KINGMOON444]

Makes me want to cry.

[@fossseseptique]

Post-War Vienna...the World had lost its soul, no time for Hollywood smaltzh...The most grown-up and intelligent film ever made, but still an heartbreak..rather like "The Heart of the Matter' novel by Graham Greene

[@MikeB3542]

It's easy to forget that Vienna was a divided city behind the Iron Curtain, not all that different from Berlin. One of the few countries that broke free of the sphere of Soviet influence.

[@christopherwibberley8984]

I have just purchased this film on 16mm.It cost megabucks but just watching this scene makes me realise that actually it is priceless. I can’t wait to get it up on a big screen

[@bullettube9863]

I always like this ending, it matched the futile meaning of the whole movie, that people don't plan their lives so much as react and adjust to the circumstances they find themselves in. In other words we play with the hand we're dealt. I also noticed that the leaves falling onto the roadway don't seem to be falling from the trees in the foreground, so they must have had someone above the camera dropping them!

[@GatlinMoviesChannel]

If you're ever in Vienna and want to duplicate this exact shot, visit the Vienna Central Cemetery (Wiener Zentralfriedhof) and go to 48°08'55.4"N 16°26'20.6"E and face SE - (at the intersection between sections 42A, 43B, 59C and 60A) - the trees have changed, but most of the grave markers have not.