The Third Man: Special Edition [DVD] [1949]

There are probably many, including myself, who have not had the pleasure of seeing this film before. I know that some of the younger generation eschew monochrome films and in so doing, deny themselves access to some of the greatest film made during the last century. The Graham Greene story is pretty lightweight but it's realisation makes it, for me, one of the great cinematic experiences of my picture-going life. I'm not a lover of Joseph Cotton, the leading man, but the leading lady is an actress of considerable talent and Orson Wells, in the title but fairly small role, gives a touch of star light to the film.There are splendid touches - notably, for me, the parts played by a small boy and a tiny kitten but It is the photography and the lighting, and the wonderful scenery of post-war Vienna which define the film's - and the director's genius. (I don't know how they managed to shoot so many scenes in completely deserted streets!)If you are young, take a chance and you will not regret it. If you are old, like me, you will delight in the visual and atmospheric quality of the experience: and it will be strangely familiar to anyone who lived through the last war and the aftermath of bombed-out streets and derelict architecture.

Given that Amazon's boss is the richest man in the world - could he not spend a little bit of money on giving films bought on Amazon Prime subtitles? It seems not.I will buy from elsewhere in the future.Having said that - The Third Man has been well restored, and if you have not seen it, please do. It is one of the great classics of the cinema - and influenced numerous other filmmakers.

Why was this masterpiece so needlessly marred? One flaw is well-known - what is meant to be the same cat is all too obviously three. Even if the long shot was done on location in Vienna and the close-up back in a British studio, couldn't they have found a reasonable lookalike? Less famously, in the introductory sequence (with Reed's voice-over) on occupied Vienna a shot of military vehicles and personnel (presumably taken from a newsreel) has missing frames. It cannot be (as in Criterion's THE FALLEN IDOL) subsequent damage because the voice-over continues across it. Why was the shot chosen? Nowadays CGI could remedy both problems, though it's a question whether anyone would pay for it. (A small curiosity: originally, the voice-over returned when Welles shot Bernard Lee. That has gone.)

Bought this as part of my effort to broaden my teenage daughter's appreciation off film to timeless classics (she's long been a fan of Laurel and Hardy and the Marx brothers) and was very gratified that she watched the whole thing, rapt. Film quality was excellent and that wonderful zither soundtrack still sends shivers down the spine. Artistically so perfect, wrapped up with airpunchingly good ending. Love love love. Will watch again soon.

Having never watched The Third Man before, I was very pleased to learn Studio Canal issue of re-mastered offering in above version.Story line is full of suspense and every character starring in this film have gone above and beyond expectations.The film transfer has been carried out so well, making watching this gem a delight.Soundtrack is also very well maintained and soon 1 hour and 48 minutes zoom by.Need to watch several times to really get over the locations and film settings.Also lots of extras offered on this disc, which makes it a very well worth purchase.

Definitely a film of two halves. The set-up is so convoluted, the constant use of the zither incredibly cheesy and the acting, by a surprisingly prestigious cast, so wooden that I was about to call it a day and then it happened.A kitten plays with the laces of a man hiding in the doorway, the theme tune starts up and he is revealed to be Harry Lime, the third man. Suddenly, everything changes. The cinematography is breathtaking, the editing exhilarating, the sociopathic Lime (sublimely played by Orson Welles) smooth as ice and the coda devastatingly poignant.The plot involves the writer Holly Marins, who is invited to post-war Vienna (a city in ruins and split into Soviet and British/ American occupying forces) by his friend Harry Lime, only to discover that Lime has been killed in a road accident. Marins, suspecting a conspiracy, talks with the British military, Anna (Lime's girlfriend) and two of the three people present at his death, falling in love with Anna and learning some unpalatable truths about his friend. He searches for the third man, who, he believes, holds the secret to this mystery. The truth is much more devastating,The film is scripted by novelist Graham Greene from his own story and he does a pretty good job of condensing such a complex and nuanced story into a ninety minute screenplay, but director Carol Reed's visual style isn't really up to such a complex set-up, only really coming into its own at the end of the second act, when Harry Lime is introduced and the story begins to move at pace.

Some have argued that this is the greatest film ever made. What is undeniable is the wonderful lighting of the city, the haunting melody on the zither and the shots of people's heads. The story is spellbinding. The final sequence of the girl walking past and ignoring the man who has shot her love lives on in the memory.

The Third Man is one of the all time greats, when the planets align in a movie. Great performances, memorable zither score and a cracking story based on a Graham Greene novel. Not to mention the unforgettable extended cameo by Orson Welles. Voted the Best British movie of all time by the BFI, its a very welcome addition to my collection. Great price, arrived in perfect condition and well packaged and the movie wrapped brand new. It arrived one day late, but that's no big deal as I'm not a pedantic person and with Covid 19 delays are inevitable. Excellent service of one of the all time greats of cinema history. A very welcome healthy bunch of extras as well in this cracking two disc set. Go ahead and treat yourself and immerse yourself in Post WW2 Vienna.