So I got this copy of Criterion's The Third Man from eBay - Blu-ray Forum

Big A2 · 07-01-2011, 12:34 PM

Okay, so I bought a copy of Criterion's out-of-print The Third Man Blu-Ray on eBay, and since it was so expensive (about $80, but from what I've heard, it's worth it), I want to be 150% sure that's it's the real deal, and not a fake, as unlikely as that is. There's a couple little anomalies I noticed... Oh, and sorry about the blurry pictures, they were the best I could get.

On the disc there’s a stripe that’s lighter than the rest of the disc, and you can feel it when you run your fingers over it (you can see it passing through the “O” in the “CAT NO” part at the top of the disc. A printing error, or something more sinister?!

The booklet mentions telecine and DVD stuff, which would irrelevant on a 24fps Blu-Ray. I’m guessing this is just because they’ve decided to use the same booklet for both the DVD and Blu-Ray editions.

The screens of the film from the DVD booklet are a much lighter colour than the film itself. Again, I’m thinking this is just the design of the booklet.

There’s a small white mark on the slipcase that looks like another printing error.

So what do you think? Should I be worried?

Anubis2005X · 07-01-2011, 12:45 PM

I just took a look at my copy. I do not have the white stripe on the disc itself. The booklet looks exactly the same. It mentions telecine, DVD, the photos have a strange tint. As to the slipcase, mine doesn't have that white mark, but it's probably some kind of scratch from the previous owner. I noticed that the edges of the black slipcase are white from wear and tear, so that's probably all it is. I'm no expert, but I don't think you have any reason to worry.

Rich Pure Doom · 07-01-2011, 10:08 PM

Looks legit to me.

CheapChildren · 07-01-2011, 10:12 PM

If that's a fake it's VERY VERY good.

Tom Hiddleston · 07-01-2011, 10:36 PM

+1 to everyone else's comments. Looks great to me.

snoopywatcher68 · 07-01-2011, 10:57 PM

I purchased this new when it was first released on Blu-ray and I just compared mine against yours = your disc is fine

JckRbbitSlim · 07-02-2011, 03:18 AM

Yup. Just checked mine too. You're good. Odd that a Criterion would have little blemishes like that though. If there was an issue with the artwork, you could have contacted Criterion directly and they would have replaced it. My Videodrome cover was bent and they sent me a new one free of charge. Absolutely love that company.

pro-bassoonist · 07-02-2011, 03:51 AM

The disc is legit.

Pro-B

07-01-2011, 12:34 PM	#1
Big A2 Member Top contributor Member since:May 2011 Blu-ray collection:113	So I got this copy of Criterion's The Third Man from eBay Okay, so I bought a copy of Criterion's out-of-print The Third Man Blu-Ray on eBay, and since it was so expensive (about $80, but from what I've heard, it's worth it), I want to be 150% sure that's it's the real deal, and not a fake, as unlikely as that is. There's a couple little anomalies I noticed... Oh, and sorry about the blurry pictures, they were the best I could get. On the disc there’s a stripe that’s lighter than the rest of the disc, and you can feel it when you run your fingers over it (you can see it passing through the “O” in the “CAT NO” part at the top of the disc. A printing error, or something more sinister?! The booklet mentions telecine and DVD stuff, which would irrelevant on a 24fps Blu-Ray. I’m guessing this is just because they’ve decided to use the same booklet for both the DVD and Blu-Ray editions. The screens of the film from the DVD booklet are a much lighter colour than the film itself. Again, I’m thinking this is just the design of the booklet. There’s a small white mark on the slipcase that looks like another printing error. So what do you think? Should I be worried?

07-01-2011, 12:45 PM	#2
Anubis2005X Member Member since:Dec 2009 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:1 Digital collection:1	I just took a look at my copy. I do not have the white stripe on the disc itself. The booklet looks exactly the same. It mentions telecine, DVD, the photos have a strange tint. As to the slipcase, mine doesn't have that white mark, but it's probably some kind of scratch from the previous owner. I noticed that the edges of the black slipcase are white from wear and tear, so that's probably all it is. I'm no expert, but I don't think you have any reason to worry.

07-01-2011, 10:08 PM	#3
Rich Pure Doom Special Member Member since:Jan 2011 Trading Score:24	Looks legit to me.

07-01-2011, 10:12 PM	#4
CheapChildren Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Fort Worth, TX Blu-ray collection:899 Trading Score:2	If that's a fake it's VERY VERY good.

07-01-2011, 10:36 PM	#5
Tom Hiddleston Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2009 Location:Birmingham, Alabama. :( Blu-ray collection:159 Trading Score:2	+1 to everyone else's comments. Looks great to me.

07-01-2011, 10:57 PM	#6
snoopywatcher68 Active Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Detroit	I purchased this new when it was first released on Blu-ray and I just compared mine against yours = your disc is fine

07-02-2011, 03:18 AM	#7
JckRbbitSlim Junior Member Member since:May 2011 Blu-ray collection:1492 DVD collection:209	Yup. Just checked mine too. You're good. Odd that a Criterion would have little blemishes like that though. If there was an issue with the artwork, you could have contacted Criterion directly and they would have replaced it. My Videodrome cover was bent and they sent me a new one free of charge. Absolutely love that company.

07-02-2011, 03:51 AM	#8
pro-bassoonist Blu-ray reviewer Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:X Home Theater Gallery:47 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Blu-ray reviews: 31 Trading Score:23	The disc is legit. Pro-B

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