At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

shammi kapoor is perhaps the worst actor in Indian history. he's a guy you just can't take seriously. his silly eye rolls and one-liners are cringe-worthy, ensuring that the viewer NEVER takes this guy seriously. he seems like the kind of guy you'd want to punch in the face two minutes after meeting him, he's THAT annoying....i must protest this film being called a 'thriller', since there are really no thrills on offer, rather a tired, straight-forward whodunit, masquerading as something hitchcockian, but failing miserably. by the time the mystery is revealed, you already knew the solution two hours earlier and have stuck around for reasons other than wanting to know how it ends....like many other Indian films of this era, the point was to fill it up with as many random songs and one-liners as possible to disguise its lack of plot. silly bollywood clichés abound throughout the entire thing and there's really no story here at all, other than the typical 'girl likes boy but plays hard to get' plot that is used in just about every bollywood film ever made.'teesri manzil' is an exercise in style over substance, which is the reason why it was such a big hit and so influential. it's all dressing, no substance. flashy, colourful clothes, sets and music are used, announcing India's entry into the mod scene. this movie is a showcase for that and nothing more. it simultaneously tries to be a comedy, drama, thriller, musical and romance and as a result, ends up failing at all of these... sadly, as is so common in the story of Indian film, it was popular, so its style became endlessly imitated, recycled, regurgitated and consumed again by hopelessly trend-following indians, so at least vijay anand can take credit for something with this failure....

In todays world when not even the producers know what they are serving the audience in the name of 'Entertainment' this beautifully made film still is a landmark in film making. It is in true sense a 'Musical Thriller' that today we see only written on posters! Beautifully shot and choreographed, this film is a gripping tale of suspense, drama, and a flavor of humor that keeps the audience excited even today. The lead actors have given their best performance and each character has something to contribute in the story. A very rare thing in Hindi films. The music was so ahead of its time that even today they are being re-mixed for the new generation and are a hit! This type of film comes once in a while and is a must to add to your film library. A must see for every film buff! Nobody can say enough for the film...Just bring it home and enjoy the roller coaster ride! Happy viewing!!

This movie is one of the landmarks in the history Hindi Cinema. For 158 minutes the audience is enthralled by a spellbound plot, music, dance, songs and suspense saga. The performance of Shammi Kapoor, Helen, both Prems, Iftikar and Rashid Khan is classic. Even during the 5 mt brief intermission, the cine-goer prefers to be glued to his seat lest the entry of Premnath, immediately after the intermission be missed.Comedy is at its zenith. The entry of Kapoor on the New Delhi Rly platform and his extraordinary style of walking is mind boggling.Even 40 years down history, its music and songs are as hit as they were when the first gramophone records were released in 1965. I remember people queuing before the radios in shops and halt in the streets when the songs were played. Needless to say, not a single Wednesday program of Binaca Geetmala in 1966 thru 1968 was aired without a Shammi number either from Teesri Manzil, An Evening in Paris and Bhramachari.The music, drama, settings and perspiring expressions of Kapoor during the climax of accidentally locating the intriguing "gem-studded coat-button " is scary, hair raising and traumatic.A film for all classes and all age.

While the filmmakers may have been trying for a Hitchcock-like blend of suspense, humor and romance, the eye-popping pastels of the film's Eastmancolor cinematography and outlandish, energetic musical numbers blend to create a delightful Bollywood concoction. Lead actor Shammi Kapoor is wonderfully fruity in what is probably his best performance, and dancing queen Helen is in classic bad girl mode. Not to be missed by anyone interested in 1960's Indian pop cinema.