Explore The Third Man Museum in Vienna: A Deep Dive into Classic Film History and Post-War Vienna

The Third Man Museum is dedicated to the classic 1948 film 'The Third Man', which was filmed in Vienna. It serves as a meeting point for film enthusiasts and offers a glimpse into Vienna's post-war history through its extensive collection of original exhibits.

The Third Man Museum is a dedicated space for enthusiasts of the iconic 1948 film 'The Third Man', which was famously filmed in Vienna. The museum provides a unique gateway into Vienna's post-war history, presenting a detailed collection of original exhibits related to the film. It meticulously documents the historical background of the film and showcases authentic artifacts from the occupation period in Vienna (1945-1955). Spread across 16 rooms, the museum houses over 2,500 original exhibits, including the renowned zither played by Anton Karas for the film's memorable soundtrack. The music's global success, which sparked a zither craze in the 1950s, is highlighted through four hundred playable cover versions of the 'Harry Lime theme.' Visitors can also view original screenplays, cameras used during filming, the cap of the character 'little Hansel,' and correspondence from the author Graham Greene. The museum also boasts 83 posters from around the world and, as of 2023, features the Elchinger gravestone, prominent in the film's cemetery scenes. A still-functioning cinema projector from 1936, used for initial screenings of 'The Third Man' in 1950, adds another layer to the experience, immersing visitors in the war-ravaged, Allied-occupied city depicted in the film.

The museum is open for individual visitors on Saturdays from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Weekday tours are available and can be booked online. Standard ticket price is €12, with a saving of €2. An original cult museum poster is available on request. Seeing eye dogs are allowed, but the main entrance has 11 steps and swinging doors measuring 90 cm wide.