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

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.

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.

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

One of the greatest films of all time.

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

The mother of all movie endings!

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

best closing scene in the history of cinema

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

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

That wailing zither gives me chills.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

That was breathtaking

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.

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

One of the10 Best films in film history.

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

The saddest scene in movie history

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.

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 !

Greatest movie ending scene of all time.

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!

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

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

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

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

This if the best hauntingly devastating ending of any movie. The nostalgic chaotic chords of Anton Karas drive this post-WWII European film noir to its sad poetic ending. And The Third Man lives on forever with its meaning and romance still haunting us to this day. Beautiful!

Unforgettable film and music, can see and listen everyday

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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!

My favorite movie ever.

Magnifico finale. Uno dei migliori visti!

One can’t just... leave...

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.

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.

My parents and I loved this film... ❤️

What a wonderful film from a Graham Greene novella directed by Carol Reed. Stars Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli and the great Orson Welles. Music by Anton Karas. Best of British.

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?

Sometimes I just gotta watch this scene.

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.

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.

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

She's broken my heart about 25 times.

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

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.

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.

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.

A Truly perfect scene! Thank you for sharing!!

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.

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.

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

Can you imagine if the match hadn't lit....cut....do it again!..Greatest ever ending to my fave film of all time. Perfection...timing, acting...just pure perfection.

The greatest curve in cinematic history

One of my favourite movie scenes great music too !!

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

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

I'm in tears every time I watch this, would make a fabulous cigarette advert !!

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..🎬🎼😎❤

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

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

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.

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.

Makes me want to start smoking again

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

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

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

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

映画史上これを超えるラストシーンは未だに無い。この映画を観ていない人にこのシーンの話をしてはいけない。。

One of my very favorite movies.

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

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

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

Absolutely brilliant. What a way to end a film. I keep watching ir from time to time. Devastating.

Just goes to show how many times true love is blind.

Devastating. An absolute masterpiece.

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❤💕

BEST ENDING EVER.

Brilliant

"One can't just ... leave."

@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.

Brilliant!!!...