The Third Man (1949) - OUT OF PRINT

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by 4kUltraBD

Can someone please pint me in the direction of the 4k restoration version from the UK?

Also, is there anybody out there who has the Criterion version who can compare these two releases? Is the UK 4k edition as good as the Criterion release?

I don't have either disc but the screenshots at caps-a-holic show the SC restored edition to be not just as good as, but superior to the older Criterion release. See for yourself:
Caps-a-holic Comparison

[Jexes23]

Originally Posted by ravenus

I don't have either disc but the screenshots at caps-a-holic show the SC restored edition to be not just as good as, but superior to the older Criterion release. See for yourself:
Caps-a-holic Comparison

Thanks for that link. I've been holding out on this title for a while but it looks like no more. I haven't perused enough to read about "extra features" but that new copy is clearly superior to the Criterion edition, and I'm a Criterion fan.

[4kUltraBD]

Originally Posted by ravenus

I don't have either disc but the screenshots at caps-a-holic show the SC restored edition to be not just as good as, but superior to the older Criterion release. See for yourself:
Caps-a-holic Comparison

Awesome!

Thank you for the links and info!

[bigshot]

It kinda depends. If you look at Joseph Cotton's suit in cap 3, the Criterion looks better. I think if you have one, you probably don't need to double dip. If the Studio Canal is available, there's no reason to pay more for an out of print Criterion.

[jackinbox]

Originally Posted by bigshot

It kinda depends. If you look at Joseph Cotton's suit in cap 3, the Criterion looks better. I think if you have one, you probably don't need to double dip. If the Studio Canal is available, there's no reason to pay more for an out of print Criterion.

I thought the Studio Canal looked light-years better than I remember the Criterion disc looking. I sold my Criterion off a couple of years ago, so my memory could be incorrect. My recollection is that the Criterion disc looked very nice, but the Studio Canal is stunning.

[Brutimus]

Originally Posted by bigshot

If you look at Joseph Cotton's suit in cap 3, the Criterion looks better.

I believe that's just sharpening on Criterion's. I can't see any additional detail there.

[BLUEGRASS]

I found a used copy (in great condition) of the Criterion version for $19.99 tonight at my local used media store

[charlieray1]

Originally Posted by BLUEGRASS

I found a used copy (in great condition) of the Criterion version for $19.99 tonight at my local used media store

Wow! Great score!

[TheBoss062]

Originally Posted by bigshot

It kinda depends. If you look at Joseph Cotton's suit in cap 3, the Criterion looks better. I think if you have one, you probably don't need to double dip. If the Studio Canal is available, there's no reason to pay more for an out of print Criterion.

If you’re a collector?

[Maczones]

Originally Posted by ravenus

I don't have either disc but the screenshots at caps-a-holic show the SC restored edition to be not just as good as, but superior to the older Criterion release. See for yourself:
Caps-a-holic Comparison

I'm sorry but I disagree. I have both versions and the Criterion is clearly more superior by being sharper and the grain field is pronounced. If you just look at Capture #2 from the Caps-a-holic site, and focus on the man's face, you will see clearly the Criterion shows the man's facial pores in fine detail, whereas the Studio Canal version is blurry and unsharpened. Watching both films on my HD Plasma clears shows this difference as well. This is of course not to say the Studio Canal is a bad transfer, on the contrary it is an excellent one too but the verdict for me is the Criterion is a slightly better version of this great film. To quote Blu-ray.com:

"Criterion release has inarguably the stronger transfer, with better contrast and especially inkier blacks, as well as less print damage". and "While this StudioCanal release isn't quite up to Criterion standards, it also won't cost you an arm and a leg".

Maczones

[tama]

Firstly you quoted the wrong review. Secondly the older CC master is slightly sharpened. And is the inferior presentation of the film .

[BluProofie]

Originally Posted by Maczones

I'm sorry but I disagree. I have both versions and the Criterion is clearly more superior by being sharper and the grain field is pronounced. If you just look at Capture #2 from the Caps-a-holic site, and focus on the man's face, you will see clearly the Criterion shows the man's facial pores in fine detail, whereas the Studio Canal version is blurry and unsharpened. Watching both films on my HD Plasma clears shows this difference as well. This is of course not to say the Studio Canal is a bad transfer, on the contrary it is an excellent one too but the verdict for me is the Criterion is a slightly better version of this great film. To quote Blu-ray.com:

"Criterion release has inarguably the stronger transfer, with better contrast and especially inkier blacks, as well as less print damage". and "While this StudioCanal release isn't quite up to Criterion standards, it also won't cost you an arm and a leg".


Maczones

That review you mention is of the older Studio Canal release, not hype 4K restoration. The 4K restoration looks incredible and easily bests the old Criterion release.

[I KEEL YOU]

There isn't a single case in blu ray history where an older master beats a new 4K, or even 2K restoration. Unless those restorations have been absolutely butchered with DNR, which is clearly not the case with the Studio Canal release of The Third Man. It has a nice, soft filmic look indicative of a job well done.

[Modman]

Originally Posted by BluProofie

That review you mention is of the older Studio Canal release, not hype 4K restoration. The 4K restoration looks incredible and easily bests the old Criterion release.

And here's the review of the Studio Canal 4K release which favours the SC release over the Criterion.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-T...130550/#Review

[Acer2010]

Why doesn't StudioCanal release the 4K restoration of THE THIRD MAN in the U.S.?

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by Acer2010

Why doesn't StudioCanal release the 4K restoration of THE THIRD MAN in the U.S.?

It's region free, so you can just import it without issue.

[TheBoss062]

What’s the best reason to buy the Criterion Version over the others?

[Davidian]

Originally Posted by TheBoss062

What’s the best reason to buy the Criterion Version over the others?

The audio's not completely borked.

[TheBoss062]

Originally Posted by Davidian

The audio's not completely borked.

So the audio I’m assuming is usually flawed on other releases?

[BluProofie]

Originally Posted by TheBoss062

What’s the best reason to buy the Criterion Version over the others?

Get the region free StudioCanal version with the 4K restoration. Really no reason to spend an astronomical amount of money for the OOP Criterion with an inferior transfer.