The Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater, the Vienna sewers, Orson Welles and the haunting zither music of Anton Karas – The Third Man painted a picture of Vienna previously unseen on the big screen. Director Carol Reed presented the story of the smuggler Harry Lime, played by Orson Welles, which turns into a game of cat and mouse set in the Vienna of 1947. While Reed portrays the city’s dark side, like the sewers and the rubble left by the war, the film also shows the picturesque streets of the old town and Viennese trademarks such as the Giant Ferris Wheel .

Sixty years on, “The Third Man” has lost none of its fascinating qualities, as visitors can see for themselves by taking a Third Man tour .

With the help of pictures and music samples, the Third Man walking tour gives visitors a taste of the film’s atmosphere and follows the trail of Harry Lime to original locations in the Old Town, such as Josephsplatz and Mölkerbastei.

The Third Man sewer tour takes visitors down to the “underworld” of the Vienna sewers, as immortalized in the pursuit of Harry Lime.

The Burg Kino cinema on Opernring shows The Third Man every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

The Third Man Museum also offers more insights into the world of this cinema classic. Besides numerous props from the film, and photos and objects from the post-WWII era, Anton Karas’ zither from the world-famous theme tune is also on display here. The museum’s enthralled visitors include opera star Anna Netrebko , who paid a visit in 2007. The Third Man tour takes in both the Third Man Museum and the Burg Kino cinema. A visit to one of the stopping points entitles visitors to discounts on the others.

Popular destinations for outings include the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) in Simmering – which can be seen at the beginning and end of the film – and the traditional Prater amusement park with its Giant Ferris Wheel. The location for one of the film’s main scenes, it is in stark contrast with the underground sewers and offers amazing views over the city.

Third Man tour

tel. (+43 1) 4000 30 33,
www.drittemanntour.at
www.viennawalks.com

Third Man Museum

Pressgasse 25, 4th district
tel. (+43 1) 586 48 72,
www.3mpc.net

Burg Kino

Opernring 19, 1st district,
tel. (+43 1) 587 84 06
www.burgkino.at