"The Third Man" suggests that sometimes it is necessary to put loyalty aside and betray a friend.

Carol Reed's direction of "The Third Man", coupled with Graham Greene's screenplay, continually thrust forward the notion that the betrayal of a friend is forgivable in the light of a greater good. However, what one considers the correct, moral course of action is totally dependant upon their preference of what is considered to be the pinnacle form of 'morality', that being the highest stranded of integrity a human can display. 'The Third Man' arguably considers …

…be seen as mere self-defense in a situation such as Vienna, where interests take priority over loyalty to any one party. Therefore, 'The Third Man' provides a vivid cross-section of the corruptness rampant within Vienna, where trust is a cheap commodity upheld by only those with a powerful belief in the value of loyalty. Betrayal, like any other action, has it's reasons, and this movie displays the necessities that overcome the honor associated with loyalty.