NationStates Jolt Archive

Well done, of course, but how about the language?


I prefer the original, with subtitles in a language I understand. It's very difficult to translate jokes and especially moods. Dubbed movies are mostly bland (the voice part).

I usually prefer subs since they're more accurate, but if there's lots of talking I prefer dubs.

I have watched some scenes from 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' with english subtitles translated from the Japanese translation of the film. It's pleasantly silly. :)

Original language with subtitles in English if needed. Then again, I've only seen a few foreign films (Amelie, Brotherhood of the Wolf, and Goodbye Lenin! ... and FLCL if you count that as a "film") so I really don't have too much experience with this sort of thing.

Original language with subtitles in English if needed. Then again, I've only seen a few foreign films (Amelie, Brotherhood of the Wolf, and Goodbye Lenin! ... and FLCL if you count that as a "film") so I really don't have too much experience with this sort of thing.

This poll question can't really be answered. I PREFER movies in English, but even though I am an American I don't just watch American movies. Take out the word only and change it to prefer instead of like and you might get a better poll.

Ironically, I saw "Brotherhood Of The Wolf" and I remember this guy who was in the third row. He was sitting there and the opening narration was in English. As soon as they started speaking French, he let out a loud profanity and stormed out. I guess the name "Pacte du Loup" and all the French names of the actors and , oh yeah, the sign on the box office saying it was subtitled... this did not prepare him for this sudden realization. :headbang:

By the way, the DVD for "Blue Collar Comedy Tour" has an option where you can change the language to French. That's pretty mind-blowing.

Ironically, I saw "Brotherhood Of The Wolf" and I remember this guy who was in the third row. He was sitting there and the opening narration was in English. As soon as they started speaking French, he let out a loud profanity and stormed out. I guess the name "Pacte du Loup" and all the French names of the actors and , oh yeah, the sign on the box office saying it was subtitled... this did not prepare him for this sudden realization. :headbang:

This amuses me greatly. :D I wish I had been able to see that movie in theaters. I loved it. Though I have to say that out of the three non-English films I've seen, Goodbye Lenin! is my favorite.

I see you have a choice for "original with subtitles" so ignore my previous post.

I don't care about the language as long as it's original. Dubbing is a hideous crime and is acceptable only in kids' movies. I'm so used to subs that I don't even realise I read them. I usually notice it only when subtitles and speech don't match.

Original language with subtitles in English if needed. Then again, I've only seen a few foreign films (Amelie, Brotherhood of the Wolf, and Goodbye Lenin! ... and FLCL if you count that as a "film") so I really don't have too much experience with this sort of thing.
Only three foreign films? :O How old are you?

I have watched some scenes from 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' with english subtitles translated from the Japanese translation of the film. It's pleasantly silly. :)

Heh, they added little poetic voiceovers between scenes, didn't they?



Anyway, I think it depends on the film. I much preferred the dubbed version of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to the subtitled version, but usually I prefer subtitles.

Only three foreign films? :O How old are you?

Nineteen. I never really watched movies or television much at all, except for like family outings to the theater or whatever, until not too long ago, actually.

I watch a lot of foreign films. Indian, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, French are just a few.

I might be close minded, but I only really watch American movies, but only because it's near impossible to find other countries movies around where I live -- unless I pirate them.

Good 'ol Wisconsin! :)

Anyway, I think it depends on the film. I much preferred the dubbed version of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to the subtitled version, but usually I prefer subtitles.
I don't think it was dubbed. I think they filmed it in English and dubbed it later into Cantonese and Mandarin (or Putonghua if you prefer).

I can't stand dubbed movies, because the voices always sound terrible and either unemotional or over-emotional. Unless it's delibrate, like an funny Oz movie made a few years back called 'Hercules returns' which had people making the script up as the movie went along.

Even with English-language movies, I prefer having the subtitles on. Don;t know why. I just like reading what they're saying as well as hearing it.
It can be hilarious watching DVD's from China, as half the time the subtitles are from a different movie. In Garfield, I got the subtitles of a War Movie. At one point Garfield's looking for Odie and the subtitles were reading 'OK. I have the target in my sights. Confirm Attack and Kill?' 'Roger that. Hit the bastard hard!' Which made the movie funnier than it was.
Either that, or the translation's appalling. In 'Troy' they did attempt to subtitle the actual movie, but unfortunately it didn't quite work. Instead of 'Follow me!' the subtitles read 'Move your feet towards me!' or something similar. When they Trojans found the Greeks all dead, the subtitles read: 'They are dead because the Gods Blessed them with disease'.
At one point, when no-one was talking on screen, the subtitles suddenly popped up saying 'You go Fuck away now!'.
I can only assume the guy doing the subtitles was having a bad day.

I can't stand dubbed movies, because the voices always sound terrible and either unemotional or over-emotional. Unless it's delibrate, like an funny Oz movie made a few years back called 'Hercules returns' which had people making the script up as the movie went along.

Hehe and Kung Pow! I was watching Shoalin Soccer last week and I have to admit - it was pretty pathetic if they were being serious.

I watch a rediculous amount of Anime (Japanese animated movies and series). 90% of the time, subtitles are way better and way more accurate than dubbing. Exceptions are Hellsing and, well....Hellsing is the only one I can think of. Watching in Japanese has actually helped me pickup some of the language, with a little help from Japanese-fluent friends.

Oh, and Shaolin Soccer was freakin' hilarious dubbed! Don't bother with subtitles on that one!

I prefer the original versions of movies with English subtitles, since it's the only language i speak and understand fluently. I think dubbed versions are horrible. I remember i taped Life is Beautiful one night when it first came on our movie channels. I had to work that night and i was so looking forward to watching it. It was the dubbed version, and though i thought the movie was wonderful, i was disappointed. I have since seen the subtitled version. I have seen lots of foreign films, and i always watch the sub-titled versions.