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- First reviewNovember 18, 2008
- Last reviewDecember 17, 2008
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Cinemaniac's Reviews
![The Third Man [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray] [1949]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/304b2327-370a-41e7-956a-951dd4939472.png)
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5
Iconic THIRD MAN as good as it gets in Blu-ray
on December 17, 2008
Posted by: Cinemaniac
from Palm Springs area
Film buffs have a reason to celebrate.
Carol Reed's "THE THIRD MAN," perhaps the most highly-regarded film in world cinema is now available in a jaw-dropping Blu-ray transfer.
This wondrous movie has never looked better and it is hard to imagine anything more that could possible be done to improve the image quality. It looks like a first viewing directly from the lab. I doubt Carol Reed ever saw it in such a pristine condition! The blacks are velvety and the grays and whites shimmer with a silvery sheen. And the retro mono sound is sharp. This ultimate edition deserves a special place in the digital library.
The plot is minimal. American pulp novelist Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton) travels to post WW II Vienna to see his friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles). But instead ends up investigating the apparent death of the black market operator in a city of fractured, shadowy loyalties. It is a tale that, on the surface, is about love, deception and murder. The dark trinity of great noir mysteries.
But it is not so much the plot that makes this remarkable film so highly-regarded but rather the extraordinary sense of time and place. Graham Greene's acerbic dialogue seduces and cuts. There's the brilliant black and white photography by Robert Krasker -- often slight askew and reminiscent of German expressionism.
Perhaps most memorable of all is the audacious zither score by Anton Karas. It perfectly frames the mood and atmosphere of this unforgettable film that somehow burns itself into one's own experience.
If the story is secondary, what is this film really "about"? Perhaps it is about being lost in a fractured landscape where old ideals and values have evaporated. Where meaning is ephemeral. It is a post-modern amorality tale awash in the frisson of deception and cynicism of our time.
But whatever the metaphor, it is a hypnotically compelling film that is much greater than the sum of it's masterful parts. Unquestionably a great film as well as art. A rare achievement indeed.
This hi-def disc is a transfer of the previous, restored, two-disc edition. The watchable bonus material –- great documentaries and archival material -- is generous (see product description). I especially enjoyed the enthusiastic and insightful commentary by Steven Soderbergh and Tony Gilroy. Film scholar Dana Polan provides a second remarkably detailed commentary.
This Blu-ray upgrade is one for the digital library.
What's great about it: The iconic movie itself now in hi-definition.
What's not so great: Nothing!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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3of 3voted this as helpful.
Posted by: Cinemaniac
from Palm Springs area
In 1982, Samuel Fuller’s “WHITE DOG” created a storm of controversy that resulted in a limited theatrical release with no follow-up video until now.
What was falsely labeled an incendiary racist film that could provoke real life violence is instead a bold anti-racist parable about how prejudice is learned or taught. In the movie the metaphor is a dog that has been trained to attack people with dark skin.
The origin of the story is a harrowing true incident Romain Gary wrote about in Life magazine.
The movie story is simple. Julie Sawyer (Kristy McNichol in her first adult role) is a young actress who, while driving one night, accidentally hits a white German shepherd on a mountain road. She takes it to a vet and tries to find the owner. In the meantime, Julie grows attached to the dog. One night it saves her from a intruder who attempts to hurt her. Later, the dog runs away and comes home bloody. On a movie set with Julie, the dog attacks a black actress. Julie realizes the dog has been trained as an attack dog so she takes it to “Noah’s Ark” an animal shelter and training facility hoping the dog can be deprogrammed in some way. She is told that the dog is a “white dog,” one trained to attack black people. At the facility, Keys (Paul Winfield), a dog expert sees this as an opportunity to see if racial prejudice can be unlearned.
This low-budget film is sometimes heavy-handed but is immensely watchable and the restored uncut widescreen transfer is, as with all Criterion editions, made from the best elements available and is very crisp and clean.
Kristy McNichol has a natural, winning charisma on screen. Her top billing is justified and she has an easy, believable chemistry with the dog (actually five dogs were used).
Paul Winfield dominates the latter half of the film. His performance is focused and intense. I was reminded of a superb dog story in which he starred, 1972’s “Sounder.”
The great Burl Ives has a small part as the co-owner of “Noah’s Ark.” It is great to hear that singular voice even if it is only in spoken words.
Director Sam Fuller had a reputation as a tough, cigar-chomping sometimes over-the-top, story-teller. He has been called “the tabloid poet.” Fuller did not shy away from controversial issues and in fact helmed other films with racial conflict as a theme. He died in 1997 at the age of 85. This was his last film.
There’s a wonderful featurette containing new interviews with producer Jon Davison, co-writer Curtis Hanson (“L.A. Confidential”) and Fuller’s widow Krista Lang.
What's great about it: Looks great. Never before on DVD. Blunt, controversial fable anti racist story.
What's not so great: Sometimes heavy-handed.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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2of 2voted this as helpful.
Posted by: Cinemaniac
from Palm Springs area
"Although John Cleland's 1748 version of "MEMOIRS OF A WOMAN OF PLEASURE" was written while in prison for debt and subsequently banned in Britain for over 200 years because of its theme, it has been filmed several times since the obscenity ban in the U.S. was lifted only in 1966.
What is often overlooked because of the scandalous controversy of the source material, is the drama, wit and charm and especially the feel good ending of the episodic melodrama itself.
This new to DVD version won raves when it was originally broadcast. The Times (UK) called it "Beautiful, sensual and extremely witty."
Screenwriter Andrew Davis, lauded for his sexy adaptations of classics like "Brideshead Revisited," "Pride and Prejudice" as well as pop fiction bestseller "Bridget Jones's Diary" does not shy away from keeping the sexuality at the forefront of Britain's first erotic novel.
Fanny -- newcomer Rebecca Night -- shines in the title role. And we believe her as she relates her journey from wholesome innocent to worldly wise woman. In a nutshell, the story is her journey from orphaned country girl to London "lady of the night" under an infamous madam. In order to survive, she enthusiastically takes a series of lovers while somehow protecting her heart for her true love.
Beautifully photographed with wonderful period detail, the overt atmosphere of ever-present sensuality is still eye-brow raising but necessary for the tale. Without the nudity and strong sensual scenes the story would not be Fanny Hill's.
James Hawkes' direction is smooth and he makes Rebecca Night's transformation from dewey country girl to wise but not hard-hearted woman believable.
This fable resonates on a lot of levels but at its center is the notion that anyone can be redeemed. And there's nothing more uplifting than that.
Extras include "Behind the Scenes" footage, interviews, previews etc."
What's great about it: Great story well-told
What's not so great: No director and star commentary
I would recommend this to a friend!
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