The Criterion Collection

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by -jonny-

On the Criterion website it says "New, high-definition digital restoration" for 400 Blows.

Which is simply the same description that they've had on it since it was first released on Blu-ray.

In the press sheet for the April titles it simply says "High-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray".

[joie]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Which is simply the same description that they've had on it since it was first released on Blu-ray.

In the press sheet for the April titles it simply says "High-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray".

But Criterion's page, found by following the 'April Titles' link at criterion.com, states, "New, high-definition digital restoration, ... "

New might lead people to believe it's improved. The current Blu-ray's video is not as good as that of some video from contemporaneous Cinemascope, which the French called Dyaliscope.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Check out what arrived in the mail today...



Naturally, the first thing that I did was place the booklet and disc in one of my spare single-disc Criterion cases...



The case for this "Used - Like New" Blu-ray of The Third Man that I ordered for $75.99 looks great aside from a minor corner imperfection on the outer sleeve that I'm not going to quibble about, since these early digipacks seem to take abuse simply by sitting on store shelves.

I'll withhold final judgment until I watch the Blu-ray in its entirety tonight, but the early indication is that this is a great day for The Great Owl's collection.

If I get any scuffs I colour them in with black marker (if the case is black) makes a huge difference, the white scuffs stand right out! lol

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

If I get any scuffs I colour them in with black marker (if the case is black) makes a huge difference, the white scuffs stand right out! lol

That's not a bad idea. Thankfully, my digipack for The Third Man Blu-ray is scuff-free for the most part, except for one corner of the cardboard outer sleeve. I'm pretty impressed with the quality, although, as pictured above, I placed the booklet and disc into one of my replacement Criterion plastic cases to avoid excessive handling of the flimsy digipack.

I'm watching The Third Man Criterion Blu-ray for the third time in less than 12 hours right now. Yesterday evening, I watched the main feature with undivided attention, then watched the first commentary track with Steven Soderbergh and Tony Girloy as I posted my above review. Right now, I'm watching the second commentary track with Dana Polan. Polan's commentary track is vastly superior to the Soderbergh/Girloy track.

Incidentally, the little kid in The Third Man always freaks me out.

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

If I get any scuffs I colour them in with black marker (if the case is black) makes a huge difference, the white scuffs stand right out! lol

Hey Owl or anyone is there a big PQ change or special features differences in the 1999 vs 2007 Third Man dvd versions or not work upgrade

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

Hey Owl or anyone is there a big PQ change or special features differences in the 1999 vs 2007 Third Man dvd versions or not work upgrade

The 2007 Criterion DVD of The Third Man is a huge improvement over the original Criterion DVD release of the film, in terms of both special features and picture quality.

[bluesilo]

Watched Thief last night and really enjoyed it. The more recent, Drive, seems to have a lot in common with that film. I haven't seen too many movies with James Caan as the lead, so this was a treat. I'll probably jump into some of the extra features as well. Really enjoyable flick.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by bluesilo

Watched Thief last night and really enjoyed it. The more recent, Drive, seems to have a lot in common with that film. I haven't seen too many movies with James Caan as the lead, so this was a treat. I'll probably jump into some of the extra features as well. Really enjoyable flick.

Drive is such a homage to Thief that it's almost scary. From the opening scene with hardly any dialogue, to the electronic score and neon lights. Also, the sudden bursts of violence, it's all there in Thief.

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The 2007 Criterion DVD of The Third Man is a huge improvement over the original Criterion DVD release of the film, in terms of both special features and picture quality.

Cool thanks for the info I'll upgrade it to that version atleast and sell the old one. Can't afford blu ray level but all good for me.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

Hey Owl or anyone is there a big PQ change or special features differences in the 1999 vs 2007 Third Man dvd versions or not work upgrade

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The 2007 Criterion DVD of The Third Man is a huge improvement over the original Criterion DVD release of the film, in terms of both special features and picture quality.

The 2007 DVD was the same transfer that they later used for the Blu-ray.

[fahrenheit290]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I have the StudioCanal Blu-ray of La Grande Illusion, and it is excellent. The picture quality is out of this world, and the extras are quite nice. I used to have the Criterion DVD of this film, and I was astonished at how much better the high definition transfer is on the StudioCanal Blu-ray.

Fortunately, StudioCanal stepped up to the plate in this instance.

I was impressed when I tried out the BD. I love the scenes at the end in the Alps, so I checked them out. That's good to hear, that this release is well regarded.

[fahrenheit290]

Also, kind of random, but two other Criterion releases I'd love to see and just thought of, besides the regulars I have touted (McCabe & Mrs. Miller, La Dolce Vita, Farewell My Concubine, Raise the Red Lantern, upgrades for Ikiru and Passion of Joan of Arc):

1. Pasolini's The Gospel According to St. Matthew... this year two Biblical films are coming out: Exodus and Noah. The Bible was a huge success as a miniseries last year. This Pasolini film is probably the greatest Biblical film ever made, with such style in the storytelling and inspired direction. The final shot is incredible. I love how he abstractly depicted Jesus' trials with the Devil.

2. Another Palme winner: La Symphonie Pastorale, directed by Jean Delannoy. I don't think a DVD even exists that is readily available.

[phillyfilmbuff]

Well, of course, La Dolce Vita, (and thanks fahrenheit290 for reminding me) Raise the Red Lantern. More Robert Altman - McCabe & Mrs. Miller most definitely! Let's breakout some of the British New Wave like Darling, Morgan, Look Back in Anger, Tom Jones, Georgy Girl, Taste of Honey,etc. How about some Frank Perry films like David and Lisa and Play It as It Lays? Some more Otto Preminger - Advise and Consent?

[jw007]

Originally Posted by shane01

They're also both thieves who take cream with their coffee!

I really like the way Mann writes his criminals. They're not petty, sloppy criminals but the best at what they do. They wear expensive clothes and are refined and clever. His poor cop characters are always one step behind in their cheap suits and "tough guy" acts. He can describe complex alarms and heists in entertaining ways. The head bosses and business associates are also always very cool! Leo from Thief, Jon Voight in Heat, John Ortiz in Miami Vice, and Javier Bardem in Collateral are great!

I ended up watching Thief again last night (with the commentary track on - from Mann and Caan) and it hit me that there is no other director who makes criminals and gangsters so likable in movies. It could be a glorification or glamorization of crime but Mann does it so well and makes us want to root for the "bad" guy. I think its because of this warped moral code that these main characters have in each of his films that make us believe in them, sympathize with them and understand them. This is why I liked DeNiro more than Pacino in Heat, because of his structured and strong moral code (albeit very twisted code). Also, all of these main characters are sociopathic in some ways, including Caan in Thief. His character "does not care" about anything in a nihilistic way. Is it nihilism or sociopathy though?

[SidneyFalco]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

Thanks for your write-up! I was one of those people who said I feel I've never truly seen this movie. I watched the DVD and saw the film on TCM (but they don't show films in HD). I wish my school had shown it in 35mm, but I had the chance to see other great films, so I can't complain. It seems like The Third Man Criterion Blu was great to get your hands on, as a fan of the film. I too love the mise-en-scene and the wonderful cinematography. Some of the most dramatic scenes, the reveal of Harry, the corridors of Vienna, and the sewers, must have looked fantastic. I just bought the StudioCanal version of Grand Illusion, but that's a film that unfortunately didn't see a Criterion Blu before the switch to a different distributor for the BD.

True, but it really didn't need one. The StudioCanal disc looks amazing.

[mrjohnnyb]

Just watched a former Criterion Collection title: Withnail and I

Wow! What an awesome film; a time capsule for both the time it was created (the 1980's) and the time the story took place (the 1960's.) Richard E. Grant was outstanding!

[tenia]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

After watching the Criterion Blu-ray of The Third Man tonight, here's how I call it...

Criterion Blu-ray > Studiocanal Blu-ray > Criterion DVD

The Criterion Blu-ray is the clear winner across the board with better picture quality, better sound, and better supplements.

DVDBeaver has a great comparison of the existing editions of The Third Man, for anyone who wants a closer look. The DVDBeaver review and this site's review get it right on the button, although I'd probably be a little kinder to the Studiocanal Blu-ray picture quality than this site review is.

Caps-a-holic also has a comparison VS the German disc (same than the SC).

This is a prime exemple of why Criterion beats up to death the SC disc, while still being not bad at all.

[Ausjdm]

Here's a picture of the movies I bought from amazon used. All great no issues!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

Here's a picture of the movies I bought from amazon used. All great no issues!

Last year was NOT a pleasant experience for me, ended up buying 5 copies cause they kept coming damaged, like when I took off the wrap it had black marks all over it like must have been from factory, and some were poor condition and yellow stained lol.... and the usual dents from post man not taking care! lol

Stunning film and packaging, but the material doesn't stay clean easily! lol

[smoss469]

My experiences with used DVDs/BDs/CDs has been mostly good. I did have 1 string of bad experiences over the same movie with Amazon.

I picked up Versus used from Amazon and it skipped and froze 1 hour in. I sent it back and got another copy from a different seller.. it skipped and froze at the same exact spot.

Either it was freak bad luck or they sent me the same exact copy back on order #2. I wouldn't be surprised if it was option B. It happened to me on a Les Paul a few years ago. It arrived with the customer neck crack, I wrote down the SN and returned it. A few days later the replacement showed up with the same damage. I flipped it over, same SN.. I wasn't amused.