The Scout’s Report · The Third Man
Chasing Harry Lime through Vienna
A city in ruins, a zither and a wheel: how The Third Man found its locations.
By Lena HofbauerPublished 8 min read
A city divided
When Carol Reed arrived in Vienna in 1948, the city was divided between four powers and still in ruins. Instead of hiding the damage, he put it on screen.
The rubble, wet streets and dark doorways give the film its famous look.
Instead of hiding the damage, he put it on screen.
The wheel and the sewers
The Riesenrad scene is the heart of the film. Harry and Holly talk in a cabin as the wheel turns slowly over the city.
The final chase takes place in the city’s sewers. Today, Vienna offers a Third Man tour underground.
The walk
Start at Josefsplatz, walk to the doorway on Schreyvogelgasse, take the U-Bahn to the Prater and end at the Zentralfriedhof, where the film begins and ends.