The Third Man - Criterion Collection (2-Disc Edition)

Is Blu-Ray always better? Maybe not. I enjoyed the DVD version more. On the Blu-ray version I was constantly distracted by the tremendous amount of film grain in the picture. The movie was hard to watch because of that. The high definition became a drawback since every fault in the film became exagerated. The DVD version provided a better viewing experience.

I'm a huge Orson Welles fan and couldn't wait to see this movie. Since it was coming out on blu-ray I thought I would add it to my collection. The movie was terrific, great story and performances. The problem is that it looks like crap! They put a filter over it that causes a constant thick grain that is very annoying. I got used to it but it should not have been this bad. I know it's an old film and such but come on! look at all the old films that tranfer beautifully! I bet the DVD version is cleaner. 3 stars based on picture quality. Recommend movie but be ready for a visual disappointment.

When compiling lists of the 10 greatest films ever made Carol Reed's THE THIRD MAN is often overlooked, maybe because when we think of great directors, Reed's name doesn't spring to mind. He is certainly not an auteur, let alone in the same class as Orson Welles who has a key supporting role in this film. Nevertheless, THE THIRD MAN is a masterpiece and certainly one of the best movies of all time. I would say it's just about a perfect film.

Pulp fiction writer Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton) comes to post war Vienna at the behest of his childhood friend Harry Lime (Welles) only to discover that Harry has been run over by a truck, and is dead. Or is he? What follows is a tangled mystery that Martins tries to unravel, with or without the help of the authorities, Harry's friends and cohorts, and Harry's lover (Alida Valli) whom he falls in love with.

The plot construction is bold and ingenious, and the dialogue memorable thanks in large part to Grahame Greene's exquisite screenplay. I just loved the way the 2 cemetery scenes with Valli framed the action. There is also the fantastic b&w cinematography with it's expressionistic and surrealistic touches, great acting by everyone, especially Cotton (his best role), Valli, Welles, and Trevor Howard, great editing which includes documentary footage in the narrated opening sequences, and a unique score in which the orchestra is replaced by a single instrument, the zither, expertly played by Anton Karas. All the diverse elements are incorporated in a perfect blend of action, suspense, mystery, romance, and humor.

I have nothing bad to say about the film, or the way they treated it on blu-ray.

What I do have to complain about is the region coding. I know previous Criterion DVD's were also Region 1, but for DVD's it was easy to get a region-free player. With blu-ray, that's not possible (yet, but still).

As I live in the Netherlands, I'm pretty much screwed. Criterion should have made these wonderful discs region-free.

Simply will not be adding this to my Bluray collection! Why? Digi pack hell! Why would anyone want Blu ray in Digi pack? If Criterion contune with Digi pack nonsense I will cease buying Criterion releases.