Rating: 
Summary: Restored with a lot of extras - the way DVD should be
Review: Classic film restored on DVD - Criterion has done it again (I love when they show the state of the film before the restoration, as they do here). Lot of extras (I really love the old radio broadcasts) to complement your viewing. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: 5 star technically, 2 emotionally
Review: this film has great photography, strong sense of mood, great performances and direction, so what's wrong?....namely, a story that fails to engross and enthrall the viewer, and a score that is pointlessly "unique"... 1, story-- where's the dramatic tension? since we know all about welles role in the film before viewing, there's no drama to be had when he appears an hour into the film, and because he is onscreen so seldom, there's not sufficient background to set up cotten's conflict over what to do when confronted with the news about welles, and we havent been intrigued beforehand cause we know he'll show up!....2, score-- its not enough to be different, a good score must carry the story along consistent with the mood and also be UNOBTRUSIVE-- this score fails on both counts... a- the zither sounds too often similar to an italian wedding march just when the tension should be mounting, b- we notice the score far too often, which is the worst thing you can say about a score... in short, this is a film that you admire for its technique, but from a distance--and since the best films engage your emotions thoroughly, this can't be considered in the same league as the greats
Rating:
Summary: One of the Great Noir Pieces
Review: The video is a superb transfer from the film. Carol Reed has constructed one of the greatest examples out of the film-noir movement. Featuring some of the most impressive cinematography, in addition, its enigmatic sets (the now classic sewer chase!) & the fantastic characters, particularly Cotton and Welles's Harry Lime, The Third Man rates as one of the greatest films in the film-noir movement, if not one of the greatest of all time!The zyther music doesn't detract from the film as one reviewer mentioned, but keeps the action moving smoothly. It's strangely different scoring for a film unlike any other, makes Third Man an original gem, all around. Its complicated tune mirrors the complications that face the film's protagonist, Cotton.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies ever made!
Review: The THIRD MAN is one of the greatest films ever made, and the criterion collection does the film a great justice with the new DVD. The film is one of the most beautiful films ever shot. If you don't believe me just look at the sewer sequence. It is a shame that other Welles films are not yet available on DVD. But this was not just a Welles film. Carol Reed, Graham Green, Joseph Cotten, Anton Karas, and Robert Krasker all deserve credit as well. This is deffinately one of the best movies ever made.
Rating:
Summary: I just don't get it.
Review: Well, I hate to break the 5-star record for this movie, but here goes. Ok, so the film has very sharp contrast and bizarre camera angles. It's probably very interesting for film school students. But why is the fact that Orson Welles appears late in the movie a stroke of genius? While this is a good movie, I don't think it ranks anywhere near some other Orson works like "A Touch of Evil." The plot is rather dull, moves slowly and the "surprise" was easily predictable even though this was the first time I had seen the movie. The zither music was nice at the beginning, but the same old tune got tiresome by the end. In a lot of scenes, the rather lively music was completely inappropriate for the action on the screen. It's very hard to keep the mystery and suspense going with this monotonously happy tune blaring from the speakers.
Rating:
Summary: DVD Format Adds to a Lot to a Great Movie
Review: Unlike many DVDs that don't add much to the VHS release besides showing a theatrical trailer, this DVD really adds quite a bit to what is already a great movie. First, the picture quality and the sound (oh that zither!) are excellent, with a great deal of enhancement and restoration to both. The extra features include lots of production stills, a nice introduction by Peter Bogdanovich (sp?), and an alternative soundtrack with Graham Greene's story layered over the movie. There are, in addition, a couple of "Third Man" radio broadcasts to listen to, along with a very nice newsreel clip of Anton Karas on the zither. If you like this movie at all, the DVD features will really add to your enjoyment. This is what a DVD should be! I loved it.
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Summary: Who is this Third Man?
Review: Set in Vienna after WWII, The Third Man pits a burned out novella author from America who comes to Vienna to seek out his friend, Harry Lime who requested his presence in Vienna. Upon arriving, our protagonist finds out that his friend Harry has been killed in an accident. Based on his doubts that there really was no accident, he tries to seek out a mysterious third man seen at the scene of the accident. The movie features Orson Welles as Harry Lime and some excellent filmmaking depicting a post war divided Vienna. The sewer chase scene at the film's end is not to be missed. The DVD also features two different film openings and also contains two radio broadcasts of Welles reprising his role of Harry Lime. This is a great movie for the mystery/suspense addict.
Rating:
Summary: Thank God they are re-mastering the classics...
Review: This is THE film to own on DVD if you are a classic film buff. I've never seen so many supplementary materials on a disc. Anything from watching the cameramen capture that curious kitty who "only liked Harry" for 6 hours on a still, to seeing Anton Karas play his zither in a bar on newsreel footage. Unbelievable! THE THIRD MAN is even better now, with sights, sounds, and scenery actually witnessed for the first time through the magic of DVD.
Rating:
Summary: A stunning DVD
Review: The Criterion Collection manages to do it again and yet again. What a superb transfer of this film noir gem! The movie is superb, period. Need I say something more. But what makes this Criterion treat all the more special is a special digital transfer, an introspection on Carol Reed, multiple trailers, and so many other extras. So much love and care has gone into producing this masterpeiece of a DVD. Just buy this one!
Rating:
Summary: The DVD version
Review: If you're looking for an excuse to buy a DVD player, this is it ! - I must have seen this film a hundred times in the past forty years and seeing it restored in this Criterion Edition is like watching an entirely new film. - Alida Vali never looked so radiant. No wonder poor Joseph Cotten falls in love with here. - As to Orson Welles, what can I say ? - Never sounded better. - And don't miss Bernard Lee ('M' in the early James Bond)... - Besides that, any which way you look at it, this is a great film.
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