The Third Man ending explained

Spoiler summary page for informational search intent.

What happens at the end?

In postwar Vienna, Austria, Holly Martins, a writer of pulp Westerns, arrives penniless as a guest of his childhood chum Harry Lime, only to learn he has died. Martins develops a conspiracy theory after learning of a "third man" present at the time of Harry's death, running into interference from British officer Major Calloway, and falling head-over-heels for Harry's grief-stricken lover, Anna.

Why it matters

The ending resolves the main conflict and sets up the emotional takeaway of the story. As the index grows, this block can be auto-generated with more detailed scene-level commentary.

FAQ

Does this page contain spoilers?

Yes. The explanation summarizes major ending events and interpretation.

Where can I find similar endings and themes?

Check the similar movies page for related tone and narrative structure.