Search - Anton Karas, Nic Raine, Prague Philharmonic Orchestra :: The Third Man

Very Disappointing

Richard Gordon | Wilmington, DE USA | 01/20/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

Caveat Emptor

Uncle Borges | Via Lungomare 6 | 03/30/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Must be my equipment?

ChrisC | NYC | 03/10/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"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!)."