Vienna! In the footsteps of The Third Man

My first introduction to Vienna was through the slightly dark lens of Carol Reed’s ‘The Third Man‘ which encapsulated the post-war gloom of Eastern Europe supported by the haunting strings of Anton Karas’ background score. So many of the iconic scenes still resonate, the shadow in the doorway, the Ferris Wheel and the chase through the sewers. Perhaps not the most enticing tourism picture – but to me, cities are about much more than pretty picture-perfect cameos – they have history, stories to be told, personality and a soul which is the sum of a million parts. Suffice to say that the first time I visited Vienna I was a little disappointed – only briefly to be fair. Where were the bomb craters, the dim alleyways; where was the ‘noir’ and yes – where was the haunting zither! There are parts of the city after the sun has set and away from the crowds where you might still feel a chill of the deja vu and in the distance, the zither still plays very very quietly! In The Footsteps of the Third Man

Relive your favourite shadowy scenes of the 1949 British film noir, ‘The Third Man,’ at the Third Man Museum. Trace the footsteps of character Harry Lime, made famous by Orson Welles’ portrayal, as you journey through the Old Town of Austria’s vibrant capital. Along with spotting the film’s locations, you’ll also see top city attractions, such as the Hotel Sacher. Learn about espionage in the city’s postwar years and get an insider’s look on the attractions that inspired director Carol Reed,

Here’s a look at some of the key sights from the film and how they reflect Vienna’s post-war charm.

The Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel (Wiener Riesenrad)

One of the most famous scenes from The Third Man takes place on the Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater amusement park. The tense conversation between Orson Welles’s character, Harry Lime, and Joseph Cotten’s Holly Martins plays out against the backdrop of Vienna’s skyline.

Stepping onto the Ferris wheel feels like stepping back in time. As the wheel slowly rises above the city, the breathtaking views seem to echo the same atmosphere captured in the film. Fans of The Third Man often find themselves recalling Harry Lime’s chilling monologue, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the experience.

The Sewers: The Underground Chase

The dramatic sewer chase is one of the most iconic scenes in The Third Man. Harry Lime’s desperate flight through Vienna’s dark, damp tunnels created an unforgettable cinematic moment. Today, visitors can take a guided tour of the very same sewers where the chase was filmed.

The tour offers a chance to relive the movie’s climax in a unique setting. Walking through the dripping tunnels, hearing the echo of footsteps, and experiencing the underground chill is an intense experience for any fan. The atmosphere feels straight out of the film, bringing the suspense of that famous chase to life.

Vienna’s Historic Centre: The Graben and Am Hof

The streets of Graben and Am Hof are filled with history and charm, and both played key roles in The Third Man. Graben, now a bustling street lined with elegant shops and cafes, was once a shadowy, war-torn area in the film. Visitors walking along these cobblestone streets can still picture the noir atmosphere that defined the movie.

Similarly, Am Hof, one of Vienna’s oldest squares, featured in several important scenes. The grand architecture and open space make it easy to imagine the film’s characters navigating these historic streets. Standing in Am Hof, it’s hard not to feel transported back to the Vienna of the late 1940s.

Café Mozart: Holly Martins’ Hangout

A stop at Café Mozart is a must for fans of The Third Man. In the film, Holly Martins frequently visited this classic Viennese café, and today’s visitors can enjoy the same timeless atmosphere.

With its dark wood interiors and old-world charm, Café Mozart feels like a step back in time. Many visitors enjoy sitting by the window, just as Holly did in the film, sipping a coffee and reflecting on the film’s legacy. It’s the perfect spot for film lovers to soak in the café’s atmosphere and relive some of the movie’s quieter moments.

The Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery)

In The Third Man, a solemn funeral scene takes place in Zentralfriedhof, Vienna’s Central Cemetery. As one of Europe’s largest cemeteries, it offers a peaceful yet haunting atmosphere, making it a fitting location for the film’s emotional conclusion.

Visitors can wander through the cemetery’s vast grounds, which are also the final resting place for famous figures like Beethoven and Schubert. The cemetery’s grand tombs and quiet paths give it a reflective air, allowing visitors to experience the solemn beauty that made it an important setting in the film.

The Danube Canal

The Danube Canal provides the backdrop for some of the film’s most suspenseful moments. Running through the heart of Vienna, the canal’s gritty, industrial charm adds to the tension of the scenes. Visitors walking along the canal today can still feel echoes of The Third Man in the atmosphere. On misty days, the canal takes on a moody tone that feels like it belongs in the world of the film.

Final Thoughts

Exploring Vienna through the lens of The Third Man offers a unique journey into both cinema and history. While the city has evolved since the 1940s, many of the film’s locations retain their original magic. Whether wandering through historic squares, descending into the sewers, or enjoying coffee at Café Mozart, visitors can experience the same blend of suspense and charm that made the movie a classic.

For fans of The Third Man or classic cinema in general, visiting these iconic locations in Vienna is an unforgettable experience.

If you don’t already own the DVD – order it on Amazon now.

The Graham Greene book the movie is based on is also available here.

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Vienna! In the footsteps of The Third Man

Here’s a look at some of the key sights from the film and how they reflect Vienna’s post-war charm.