76 Years Ago, This Film Noir Had Cinema’s Best Speech, And No One Has Come Close Since

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A truly memorable speech appears in a film released in 1949, widely considered one of the greatest British movies ever made. Though the film is celebrated for its beautiful visuals, skillful direction, and heartbreaking love story, this particular speech is what truly elevates it.

In 1949, Graham Greene penned the screenplay for what many consider a classic film noir. Directed by Carol Reed, The Third Man featured performances by Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten. Cotten plays Holly Martins, who travels to Vienna to find his friend, Harry Lime (played by Welles), and encounters a memorable speech delivered by Lime.

Orson Welles Delivered Cinema’s Best Speech In The Third Man

Holly Martins travels to Vienna only to be told his friend, Harry Lime, is dead. Shocked by the news, especially since he came to visit him, Holly is even more surprised when he spots someone who looks exactly like Harry in the shadows across the street. Determined to uncover the truth, he begins investigating what really happened to his friend.

The Third Man is a classic film noir, known for its deceptive nature and exploration of the lengths people will go to for personal gain. The story centers around Harry Lime and his involvement with illegal activities in post-war Vienna.

During a Ferris wheel encounter, Harry tells Holly why he feels justified in his actions. While Harry Lime is clearly a villain, the way the film explores his reasoning is what makes The Third Man so compelling and masterful.

Harry attempts to persuade Holly to participate in his crimes, suggesting they could achieve significant things as a team. He argues that society actually needs people to challenge the status quo and cause change.

Someone once pointed out that Italy experienced thirty years of war, fear, and violence under the Borgias, yet it was during that same time that incredible artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci flourished, leading to the Renaissance.

Switzerland has a long history of peace, democracy, and strong community, spanning five centuries. But despite all that, one of its most famous exports is… the cuckoo clock.

Reports suggest Harry Lime borrowed the idea of associating Switzerland solely with cuckoo clocks from a lecture given by James Abbott McNeill Whistler in 1885, which was later published in Whistler’s “Ten O’Clock.” This inspired a memorable line in a speech Lime gave – a speech that’s still considered powerfully delivered today.

The Speech Was Not Accurate, Despite Its Brilliance

The interesting thing about this speech is that Harry Lime didn’t really understand what he was discussing, but he pretended to. He was a classic example of someone trying to impress others by talking about subjects he knew nothing about. Ultimately, though, he was completely mistaken.

He correctly pointed out the historical struggles and artistic achievements of Italy, including figures like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance period. However, like many people who are all talk and no knowledge, he was completely off base when discussing Switzerland.

Graham Greene wrote the novel The Third Man, and Carol Reed directed the film adaptation. Interestingly, it was Orson Welles – famous for delivering a key line in the movie – who claimed representatives from Switzerland contacted him with critiques. He shared their comments in his book, This is Orson Welles, co-authored with Peter Bogdanovich.

After the photo was published, people from Switzerland kindly informed me that cuckoo clocks aren’t actually made in Switzerland – they originate in the Black Forest region of Bavaria.

This speech contained more than one inaccuracy. While Switzerland is known for its current peacefulness, that’s only been the case since 1848. Before then, the country was plagued by numerous civil wars, often fueled by religious differences and conflicts between cities and the countryside. Interestingly, Switzerland even had a strong army during the time of the Borgias in Italy.

Orson Welles confessed that although Graham Greene wrote the screenplay, Welles himself crafted Harry Lime’s famous speech – a speech that, while factually incorrect, felt perfectly fitting for the character. He believed that great art often arises from chaos, but he jokingly suggested Switzerland was an unlikely source of that turmoil.

The Third Man Remains One Of Film Noir’s Greatest Masterpieces

The famous speech by Harry Lime about the cuckoo clock and Switzerland is a highlight of The Third Man, but the movie offers so much more. It’s considered a cinematic masterpiece, standing out not just as a great film noir or a British production, but as a truly exceptional film in any category.

The critically acclaimed film The Third Man received three Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Director, and ultimately won the Oscar for Best Black and White Cinematography. It also earned two BAFTA nominations, winning the award for Best British Film, and director Carol Reed took home the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Released in 1999, the British Film Institute declared The Third Man the greatest film ever made. With its masterful direction, intriguing plot, and heartbreaking conclusion, it’s easy to see why the movie is considered a classic and rightfully earns its place among the all-time best.

Sources: This is Orson Welles by Orson Welles and Peter Bogdanovich

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2025-12-13 04:10