why would i rebuy THE 3RD MAN? (1 Viewer)

Micah Cohen · Feb 18, 2007

Criterion just announced a new 2-disc set of THE THIRD MAN. Why would I rebuy this? Is the current one "bad"?

I can see YOJIMBO, since the first release was the very definition of subpar. But... THE THIRD MAN?

Help me! These discs are expensive!

MC

Craig Beam · Feb 18, 2007

An updated and expanded release in no way implies that the earlier release is "bad." The new edition will undoubtedly feature an improved transfer, not to mention the additional of several new supplements. The existing DVD is quite good, but I have no doubt that the new release will be spectacular. It's one of my favorite films, so I'll be first in line to buy it.

Thomas T · Feb 18, 2007

For the extras on the second disc I suppose. But since I'm more a movie kind of guy rather than an extras kind of guy, I'll pass.

Larry Sutliff · Feb 18, 2007

The original disc was state of the art for its day, but it could use a little bit of a cleanup. I'll be repurchasing this one, one of my top three movies.

Thomas J. · Feb 18, 2007

You'd be crazy to repurchase this. Let's see, they're adding a commentary and a documentary. Just rent the new release for those extras. As for the new transfer, c'mon, it's not going to be that much better. I'd wait for the HD version if you've got the original (like I do). The PQ is not THAT bad, and considering this is still a DVD redo rather than HD, I'm going to hold off. No doubt about that.

You're telling me there weren't any other movies for Criterion to release? How about Odd Man Out, for crying out loud.

Robert Crawford · Feb 18, 2007

I'm crazy because I want to repurchase a dvd that's almost eight years old with a new release and transfer with additional bonus material? We're not talking about some mediocre title, but one of the best film noirs ever made.

oscar_merkx · Feb 18, 2007

Wow I am looking forward to getting this.

Orson Welles ... says it all really

george kaplan · Feb 18, 2007

I'll wait until it comes out, and read reviews about the improved PQ. If it's significant, I'll upgrade. If not, I won't.

AlexNoir · Feb 18, 2007

It's my second favorite movie. Come hell or high water, I'm buying this!

Kevin M · Feb 18, 2007

The 1998/99 transfer could use some updating, EE is noticeable and the digital clean-up they used was good for the time but could definitely be done better today.....as others have mentioned, I will wait and see what the verdict is on this new release and then I will decide.

Jeff Newcomb · Feb 18, 2007

The wonderful 90-minute documentary Shadowing the Third Man is worth the cost of the disc all by itself.

Lars Vermundsberget · Feb 18, 2007

The Third Man isn't just any movie - at least not to me. Since it's probably in the top five or so of my favourites, I might consider to rebuy.

TravisR · Feb 18, 2007

Looks like there's a number of crazy people around here (including me).

Eric Peterson · Feb 19, 2007

I don't understand all of the complaints about this. This is far from being a top favorite of mine, but I'm seriously considering a double-dip for the documentary alone. Rarely does a film get released with a quality 90 minute documentary.

Count me as crazy too!

Cees Alons · Feb 19, 2007

Colour me crazy!

Cees

David_B_K · Feb 19, 2007

I'm a huge Welles fan, and a Carol Reed fan and love The Third Man. However, I, too will wait to see the reviews. I already made a decent DVD-R of the Shadowing The Third Man documentary (which was only so-so IMHO) when TCM showed it. If I pick it up, it will be for imporved video quality of the film. Spreading the features on to a second disc will help the bitrate on the movie portion.

I doubt they will have fixed the EE problems. No matter what reviews say, the people who restore films cannot seem to leave the EE alone.

Alejandro · Feb 19, 2007

I have the UK edition which features that same documentary and believe me it's not that good.
I'm one of those guys who buys an special edition only to get a new making of doc. With shadowing the third man I was so disappointed. Its kind of arty-pretentious, slow-boring and confusing. The fact that it is 90 mins long only adds to the torture. Yes it features some of the crew who are still with us, but the director is so bad he ruins the whole experience for me.
If I'm plannig a doble dip (third dip, as the matter of fact) is to hear the commentary track but I don't wanna make the same mistake again. Does anyone know that film scholar?

Maggi Magg · Feb 19, 2007

I'm for sure is getting this release, just look what Criterion did with the re-release of Seven Samurai.

Cheers
Maggi

Micah Cohen · Feb 19, 2007

Renting first is a definite. Don't get me wrong, this is one of my top ten greatest film loves. So, I'll have to see what happens, I guess.

I just stocked up on Ramen noodles at Sam's Club, so I guess I could go without real food for a while to afford these re-issues.

MC

Kevin M · Feb 19, 2007

You may be right!
I may be crazy.......but it just may be a lunatic Criterion's looking foooor!

As was mentioned, looking at what Criterion was able to do with their re-release of Seven Samurai I have good expectations for what they can do with this wonderful film....but there are, of course, always exceptions.

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