Criterion is re-releasing The Third Man

[Kevin Loy]

I just came across this yesterday evening, in case anybody else has yet to see it:
http://www.criterionco.com/asp/release.asp?id=64

Personally, I doubt that I'll be upgrading my set, especially since (aside from a new transfer and a higher bitrate) it doesn't really offer much that wasn't part of the earlier edition.

[Store Hadji]

The picture quality on their first go was horrible. Stationary objects in the background can be seen to wiggle and melt into each other. It's like watching Carol Reed on acid. If they did a new transfer it would be worth the repurchase.

The extras look the same except for the inclusion of Shadowing the Third Man, which I saw on TCM a few years ago. I turned it off after only a couple minutes, due to the narrator twice calling Welles a liar in that time.

[Michael O'Hara]

The Criterion Third Man DVD was one of my favorites in my collection. Still is, probably. It was what got me hooked on the DVD format in the first place. Seeing that eye catching cover on the store shelf made it impossible not to buy. I'll have trouble parting with it, but I suppose an image upgrade is in order.

[Kevin Loy]

I must admit that I haven't watched The Third Man in ages, but outside of some compression artifacts, I don't remember anything akin to watching the film while on acid...(good description, though!)...Actually, it is a bit funny that you say that, since more than one reviewer has cited the old DVD as representing an early zenith of DVD releases. Granted, I know that the film was Welles' most famous acting assignment (or at least one of the most famous), but I can't say the film is one of my favorites (though it is a pretty good film).

[tonyw]

:) I ran an extract in class and one student was interested in seeing the whole film. It does contain one of Orson's best acting performances but the heavily indulgent canted angle shots is too much to take.

[NoFake]

When I go to Amazon (from the Criterion BUY link), I find only the earlier releases. Anyone know when this one will be available? Or am I just not looking in the right place? Thx.

[Kevin Loy]

The "Coming Soon" page on Criterion's website lists it for May.

[Glenn Anders]

The Criterion Newsletter is announcing THE THIRD MAN re-release, on two discs, for May. As may have been noted, the double disc set will have the following special features:

All-new, restored high-definition digital transfer.

Video introduction by writer-director Peter Bogdanovich.

Two audio commentaries: one by filmmaker Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter Tony Gilroy, and one by film scholar Dana Polan.

Shadowing "The Third Man" (2005), a ninety-minute feature documentary on the making of the film.

Abridged recording of Graham Greene’s treatment, read by actor Richard Clarke.

"Graham Greene: The Hunted Man," an hour-long, 1968 episode of the BBC's Omnibus series, featuring a rare interview with the novelist
Who Was the Third Man? (2000), a thirty-minute Austrian documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew.

The Third Man on the radio: the 1951 “A Ticket to Tangiers” episode of The Lives of Harry Lime series, written and performed by Orson Welles; and the 1951 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of The Third Man.

Illustrated production history with rare behind-the-scenes photos, original UK press book, and U.S. trailer.

Actor Joseph Cotten’s alternate opening voice-over narration for the U.S. version.

Archival footage of postwar Vienna.

A look at the untranslated foreign dialogue in the film.

Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by Luc Sante, Charles Drazin, and Philip Kerr.

Also: a web-exclusive essay on Anton Karas by musician John Doe

Glenn

[Roger Ryan]

With the hi-def transfer, documentaries and commentaries, there's more than enough new material to warrant buying this one again. I'm looking forward to it!

[atcolomb]

I also noticed that when TCM (Turner Classic Movies) shows the film they have a better print of the film then what Criterion used on their first release!

[Glenn Anders]

Here is the technical information from the latest Criterion Newsletter:

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"About the Transfer

"The Third Man is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. On widescreen televisions, black bars will appear on the left and right of the image to maintain the proper screen format. This new high-definition digital transfer was created on a Spirit Datacine from a restored 35mm fine-grain master positive. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, and scratches were removed using the MTI Digital Restoration System. To maintain optimal image quality through the compression process, the picture on this dual-layer DVD-9 was encoded at the highest-possible bit rate for the quantity of materials included.

"The soundtrack was mastered at 24-bit from a restored 35mm fine-grain master positive print, and audio restoration tools were used to reduce clicks, pops, hiss, and crackle. The Dolby Digital 1.0 signal will be directed to the center channel on 5.1-channel sound systems, but some viewers may prefer to switch to two-channel playback for a wider dispersal of the mono sound."

---------------

Glenn

[Michael O'Hara]

I've spent a week with the new Third Man DVD and I really like it. I think the transfer is a lot better than the previous version. Plus, having all those extra documentaries under one roof is a big plus. The original Third Man DVD was one of the first DVDs I bought, and it was always one of my favorites. It set the standard. I loved the cover. You'd see it on the shelf and it just looked so damn cool. I was a bit sad to see it go bye bye on eBay but now I don't miss it at all. This new set is worth the upgrade, and you can get it for a steal on Amazon (or at least you could...I paid $24.99).