Can anyone give me any info as to the quality of "The Third Man" releases? I know there is a $6 version and there is also a Criterion version. Is the quality of each, or is the Criterion vastly superior in terms of video and audio quality?

Thanks in advance.

I have never seen the $6 one...

However, I will say, the Criterion version is fricken CLEAN. This is one of my fave movies of all time, and it's probably the best transfer of it I've ever seen, or ever will see.

There's a featurette on the Criterion edition that discusses a great deal of clean up process they used on the film and the results were startling. lordzeppelin isn't kidding when he says print's friggin clean. Criterion removed countless specks and scratches among other things.

Definitely make it a part of your collection if and when you get a chance.

The Criterion is the way to go. They did an extensive restoration, from dust specks to scratches to outright film tears. It's a beautiful thing to behold.

The extras are nice too, especially the radio shows.

Sometimes you really do get what you pay for.

Another for the Criterion (and yes, I also think this is one of the greatest movies ever made). This was the first Criterion I ever bought, just a few days after I set up my first DVD player, and 1200 DVDs later it is still one of the most important discs in my collection.

(I am so easy to manipulate..... now I'mm all revved up to watch it again!)

Criterion 'The Third Man'

Rented the movie from Netflix 1year ago, bought it the next day and watched it countless times since then.

what he's tellin' ya.

I just wanted to chime in and say that the Criterion verision is indeed fantastic.

On a side not, that main theme is just so great. It's one of my personal favorites ever.

It sure is. Once you've heard that theme, its impossible to forget. Really great movie. Great music, direction, lighting, acting and writing. Can't ask for more.

Criterion is the way to go. For a film of those era, I think the transfer couldn't get better than that.

Bought the Criterion blind about a year ago and have never regretted it. Beautiful transfer of an amazing movie. I woudn't even entertain the possibility of getting any other version than the Criterion.

I have seen the cheapo version at it truly was the worst piece of garbage dvd I have ever seen. Horribly mis-framed and zoomed in on. Looks like it was filmed for the dvd while being projected onto a wrinkly, dirty sheet. I own the Criterion and it is fantastic.

Another for Criterion...

The cheap version is AWFUL.

The Criterion edition represents the extensive restoration that Rialto did to re-release this theatrically in 1998.

The extra cash will be well-spent on the Criterion.

Criterion. Ignore the budget releases. You'll 'save' money but then have a barely watchable copy of this fantastic film.

Kind of depends. If you have watched many old movies on VHS and it didn't bother you then the cheap version won't bother you too much. But for me this movies was a good movie and the quality of the transfer is very important.

I watched the first half hour or so with my mouth agape - I couldn't believe how beautifully restored Criterion had made this gem.

One of the best movies ever. One of the best restoration jobs ever.

I like the extras on the Criterion disk too! I love old time radio stuff.

this may be the first thread I've ever seen where people all agree...

Like it matters at this point but everyone is right.

I wonder if we've convinced him/her by now?

Yeah, not much that I can add to this thread... It's (CC) an essential purchase as far as I'm concerned and one damn_fine film... One that should be in every DVD collection.

There should never be any question as to whether a Criterion prsentation is better than a $6 public domain copy of something.

The Criterion version is very clean. They even showed some scenes before and after the restoration.

Well let me be the first to recommend the Criterion version.

I'm going to see new print of The Third Man at the Film Forum today. There may be another release yet! Giggity!