Customer Reviews

The Third Man

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

 

 

Alas, this CD has the music from the movie played competently by a woman named Gertie Huber with snippets of dialogue tossed in. Don't be deceived by the packaging! If you're looking for the original dialogue and soundtrack--get the movie on DVD from Criterion. If it's the original music you're after, as I was, make certain you buy a CD with the music played by the original artist: Anton Karas on the Zither. Bottom line: perfectly pleasant. But I learned my lesson--read more carefully before I order!

This is not ab original soundtrack from, yes, one of the very greatest films. It's a weak, metallic, even off key botching up of one of the arguably greatest soundtracks in film history. Rather search for "The best of Anton Karas". But sadly even on that collection - the final 'Anna Walks Away Past Rat Skunk Martins' (as you can tell I actually prefer Harry Lime to little snitch writer of potboiler westerns!) - is not included.

This recreation of the original film score is far superior to recordings made by Karas, in fidelity, dynamic expression and nuance. The sound clips from the film are refreshing, although, I would have liked to have had at least one by the beautiful Alida Valli. Play the cd in your computer and watch the artist in the studio playing The Third Man Theme.

I tried this disc in 4 PC CD players, 1 progressive scan JVC DVD/CD player and a PS2. On the PC's you saw a graphics page with areas in yellow. Lower right section had two areas to click. One for a video of Ms. Gertrud Huber playing the Harry Lime Theme by Anton Karas. The other had web site links. The tracks would not play. The (20 tracks) would be visible as blocks in the PS2 screen, but each had to be selected and there was no play through. There was the addition of dialogue at the beginning of each track (following the film/music structure). As the CD would come up (on the PC) you would hear the Harry Lime Theme playing. Amazon replaced it with another disc that did the same thing, which helped me decide to get the movie (I would have preferred to have a vehicle for hearing the soundtracks that would work in a PC, or a CD player). I am not qualified (or sensitive enough) to 'rate' the movie. I will say if you have never seen it, rent it and fast forward (treat yourself) to the last 2 minutes (see http://imv.au.dk/publikationer/pov/Issue_02/section_3/artc3C.html). Play it back with no music, then with music. Play it back at different times and through different moods and you will appreciate one of the finest works of film in existence coupled with one of the finest pieces of music ever produced. No single 'scene' can show you the promises of the past and let you feel the horror of regret. A mystical view that soon reveals Anna walking toward the camera, through the tree lined road, passing Holly is a statement and genius unto itself. The Karas compositions are brilliant, but this one is an everyman's masterpiece. What a gift (of course see the film. It is after all - superb!).

No this isn't Anton Karas' original recording (you can find a couple of pieces lifted straight from the movie on other cd's, just search for 'Anton Karas' here on Amazon) but nonetheless, this -is- the music from the movie, just without Karas' signature 'twang'.

Huber's playing intertwined with the sampled dialogue provides to date the best (if only) soundtrack of Der dritte Mann (The Third Man).

Who was Harry Lime? Has he anything to do with the Cold War, intrigue involving spies, or has this just been another of what has been termed as "The Third Man"? From the pen of Graham Greene, directed by Carol Reed we move mysteriously through the sewers of Vienna. The cast gave us suspenseful performances with Joseph Cotton, Trevor Howard, Alida Valli and oh yes, Orson Welles as The Third Man. Nominated for several Academy Awards, won for Best Cinematography ~ as Carol Reed won for Best Director at Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. But what made this classic film even more classic was the zither and composer Anton Karas ~ only to become one of cinemas most recognizable scores, the ultimate "Harry Lime Theme" sending memories of betrayal and suspense that filled the big screen.

Silva America has done a magnificent job in putting together this World Premiere recording of the score, this time around with Gertrud Huber playing the solos ~ along with The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nic Raine. Entire album with dialogue inclusive within each key cue is brilliant. When you play this "film-score-buffs" classic, you will once again visualize the film or want to see it again on DVD ~ watch the gripping story unfold as Orson Welles recreates his character through the complete score of "The Third Man"!

Total Time: 48:12 on 20 Tracks ~ Silva America 1151 ~ (6/10/2003)