Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- earnest
- intense
- romantic
- historical film night
- football film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's ambitious reconstruction of its wartime setting and Richard Sammel's emotionally anchoring performance, while its historical depiction of Bulgaria remained controversial.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kosta's football club and its matches acquire political and emotional significance after the occupation begins.
The film's depiction of Bulgarians during World War II provoked major political and media controversy over historical representation.
Rebecca's relationship with the football star unfolds amid family expectations, occupation, and escalating persecution.
Dimitriy’s project to build a leading football club is overtaken by Nazi tanks and the realities of wartime rule.
Films like The Third Half, and why
Escape to Victory
historical World War II drama combining romance, sport, occupation, and national identity
The Pianist
romantic wartime drama shaped by fascism, resistance, and an emotionally charged historical setting
Defiance
European historical drama intertwining personal relationships with Holocaust-era persecution and moral courage
Before the Rain
ambitious Balkan historical drama using wartime upheaval to explore identity, nationalism, and divided communities
Movie Details
- Director
- Darko Mitrevski
- Release Date
- 2012-09-27
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (26)
Cast
- Saško Kocev
- Katarina Ivanovska
- Richard Sammel
- Rade Šerbedžija
- Emil Ruben
- Mitko Apostolovski
- Verica Nedeska
- Igor Angelov
- Toni Mihajlovski
- Gorast Cvetkovski
Common questions
- What is The Third Half about?
- A Macedonian football coach’s ambitious team becomes entangled in forbidden love and the brutal political upheaval of World War II.
- What is The Third Half like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Third Half as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Third Half violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Third Half as brutal.
- What did critics think of The Third Half?
- Critics broadly praised the film's ambitious reconstruction of its wartime setting and Richard Sammel's emotionally anchoring performance, while its historical depiction of Bulgaria remained controversial.
- Which films are like The Third Half?
- Films with a similar feel include Escape to Victory, The Pianist, Defiance, and Before the Rain.
- How long is The Third Half?
- The Third Half runs 113 minutes.
