Customer Reviews

The Third Man: 50th Anniversary Edition (2000 Re-recording of 1949 Film)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I was bitterly disappointed when I got this CD. I have the original LP and looked forward to hearing Anton Karas's wonderful music in a pristine recording. Imagine my dismay when it merely turned out to be audio tracks from the movie. Soundtracks that contain dialogue are usually marked as such. As this was not the case with this CD I consider it deceptive packaging. Hopefully the REAL soundtrack will someday be made available.

I originally ordered the 50th anniversary edition in the misconception I was purchasing the CD re-recording of the Karas LP. Not noted by previous reviewers and something that troubled me immediately when first listening to the CD is the opening scene setter. The opening speech sets the mood as Holly Martins enters Vienna. The original movie soundtrack had two introductions - one in English-English and the the American-English version with Mr. Cotton providing the narrative. Two different cultures and two different styles of opening a grand movie - not to say the British intro is inferior but I'd become accustomed to Mr. Cotton's intro. Remember, the story is told from the point of view of Holly Martins - it makes sense for the drama to commence with the voice of that down and out scribbler of western novels (Holly). The soundtrack has been cleaned-up a bit. Yet, to label this CD as a tribute to Anton Karas does neither the artist, film student nor the Karas collector any favors. This CD is an adequate introduction to the Third Man but nowhere near a polished product. C.A. FRY

What a rip-off! Discoforme, the maker of this soundtrack and others, makes no effort to bring you the music from this film, it just takes the sound and reproduces it without any refining. A very lazy and negligent method and that gives you a total of only about 10 minutes of music and 35 minutes of yada type talking ON EVERY TRACK. This spoiled it for me, fer sure. If I wanted all that talking, I would have bought the DVD. This is obviously their method/shortcut, as another CD, "Young Man With a Horn", bought at the same time, and also by Discoforme, does the exact same thing...spits on the fine music by Max Steiner, and gives you ongoing CHATTER. Both are marked *50th ANNIVERSARY*. Do not buy either CD, and beware of the DISCOFORME trademark.

I do agree with the others and was mislead of the album. I understood it would be the sound track only, still it is okay for the price. I sure would like to have the sound track without the voices.

Stupid me, I should have read the reviews. This is not what I would call a "soundtrack;" it is a recording of the sound portion of the movie, dialogue and all. And, not remastered or anything. You can do as well by taping the movie when it is on TV and dubbing off the sound. Of course, it will be tape, not a CD, but you won't play it a lot anyway.

The release of this CD was to be the fulfillment of my search for the original recordings of Anton Kara's brilliant musical background to The Third Man. It turned out to be nothing more than a recording of the "soundtrack" of the movie itself, or at least the portions of the movie that contained Karas' music. I could have done this myself!! Although I am partially pleased with getting the 'original' score by Karas, it is very distracting to hear the sounds of the actors' voices and other background noises of the film on top of that score. I have purchased other movie "soundtrack" CDs before, and none of them contained dialogue from the movie. In that regard, the use of the term "soundtrack" for this CD is very misleading.

What a disappointment to buy this CD. The composer, Anton Karas, had written a very memorable soundtrack for this movie, one of the most charming and original pieces and arrangements of any soundtrack, up there for 1940s classic movie soundtracks with "Laura" by Raksin, Korngold's "The Sea Hawk" or Kosma's "Les Enfants du Paradis," so what a shock to discover that all tracks have dialogue from the movie - that is right, ALL, even the main theme at the beginning (Track 2). Who can enjoy Karas' music beneath the spoken track - indeed, one can hear a most varied and interesting variation on his theme that would be very enjoyable to hear without the babble! Avoid this CD at all costs!

When I ordered this CD, I thought it would be the wonderful music from the film. Yes, the music is there but it is constantly interrupted with snippets of dialogue spoken over the music. I played it once and will never play it again !!!!!

Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the film "The Third Man" (Apart from some of the most spectacular cinematography ever photographed) is the incredible Zither music by Anton Karas. It perfectly complements the atmosphere of post World War II Vienna. This is a great buy for lovers of classical music or of Zither music fans (all 3 of you). Be warned however, the music will be stuck in your head for weeks!