Would you rather see a movie that is not in your native language, with subtitles or dubbed into your own language?
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70 Comments
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0
LFRAgain
Subtitles all the way.
0
jj1980
As a HUGE fan of the old Japanese samurai movies, and they are 100x better with the original voice of the on screen actors. Not the BS dubbed voices.
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AlfGarnett
I only watch films in English, prferably English films like Ealing comedies, Hammer horror and Carry On Films which are part of British heritage and culture. Some American flicks aint bad, but are too far fetched usually.
I don
t watch films to read subtitles, if i want to read ill borrow a book from Wapping Library. I dont like thm dubbd ones either. anyway, foreign films aint as good as Rnglish ones, we are more artistic, its in our tradition.0
bdiego
Subtitles. Dubbing almost always sucks or changes the movie, and isn't worth the risk.
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yabits
Subtitles, subtitles, subtitles.
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ncje
Firstly, subtitles all the way.
Secondly, Alf, there really are some fine English films. More artistic? That's a big call and one I could not agree with.
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ebonyninja
Subtitiles! But a push for better translations.
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pamelot
Subtitles. 100%.
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Zenny11
Subtitles.
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mareo2
Subtitles. The way to know another language and fully appreciate the talent of the actors. Dubbed is for little kids or people who have problems with reading and after a while everyone sounds the same.
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sf2k
subtitles 100%
thus you get the subtleties of the language that no translation can ever match, tone and intention, while getting the translation as well.
0
XXXXX
not even as a kid I watched dubbed movies at the cinema theaters. Silly question. I bet ol' sargie comes up with those.
0
XXXXX
heheh
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Sarge
Dubbed all the way! Who wants to be bothered with reading subtitles, ha ha! Plus, it's way more comical to watch the mismatch between the voices and the actors' lips.
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Pukey2
Subtitles too! It doesn't matter what language it is, something's lost when it's dubbed. Also, I don't appreciate it when foreign movies and TV programmes are dubbed into Japanese - men's voices go down one octave and women's voices go up two octaves. Fully grown women end up sounding like 10 year olds. And the Japanese voice actors get higher billing than the original actors.
Dubbed cartoons for 5 year old kids is fine though, I guess.
0
jianadaren
Unless you're too young to read, why would you not want subtitles (and a good pair of glasses)?
0
sandtrapcougar
Subtitles all the way. AlfGarnett, sorry that you will only watch movies in English. You are missing out on some very good movies from all over the world.
I would recommend the movie "Crossing" (Korea) to everyone. Also, "Okuribito" (Japan) is also a great film that is very artistic with a very good message. Anyone else have some recommendations? I would love to hear!
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Papigiulio
Subtitles all the way. Subbing is horrible and I dont know why Japan still DOES this. Only good subbing is with Jackie Chan movies hah.
But even subtitles (in Japanese) are completely off. Sometimes they translate completely different.
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PeaceWarrior
Most definitely subtitles.
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brotokyo
Subtitles all the way--I like to hear the actor's voices and see lips move in sync with words, unless it is done like Woody Allen's "What's Up Tiger Lily"
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kurumazaka
Subtitles. Watched the Gundam Wing series with my kid years ago. Subtitled version was great. Dubbed was borderline unwatchable.
0
Foxie
Subtitles for sure. The movies dubbed into my language always use the same voices, it is very annoying.
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jamal2609
I think documentaries are better to watch dubbed, especially when there are a lot of pictures and other visual effects. Kung Fu/Karate movies are also better dubbed -- it adds to the enjoyment and allows you to take in more of the action. I guess any movie where the action or visual effects are more important than the dialogue is better to watch dubbed. That being said, any movie that relies on dialogue between the actors to be effective should be watched with subtitles. That includes most movies.
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webintrigue
Subtitles. It's annoying to listen to voices that totally do NOT match the person. Plus, I rather enjoy listening to the actual language and the way it is spoken. I get a better understanding of how it's used and it also helps so you can learn to recognize the sounds certain languages make, especially Asian languages, when going outside.
0
bonestructure
My Japanese is very rusty, I only understand a few words of Chinese and no Korean or Thai at all. I love movies from all those countries. I'd rather have subtitles every time. I may not grasp the language, but I want to hear the way they speak the lines, the nuances and emotions in the voices. The subtitles can tell me what they say, but dubbed voices can't tell me the way they say it and, for me, that's an important part of the performance. Even my own movie (I'm the writer), Carnies, which comes out on DVD Oct 11, if it's ported to Asia, I want it subtitled. Those voices are important.
Though, I have to admit, a friend in the movie business in Hong Kong did tell me they purposely write bad and funny subtitles because they know it amuses we westerners, which means we buy more Hong Kong films.
0
maxpower
Subtitles.
Unless I'm watching "Iron Chef"
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Wakarimasen
Subtitles
0
crazygaijin
okuributo was a freakin terrible movie with a completely played out message. subtitles all the way
0
Nessie
Still waiting for The Sound of Music dubbed in Klingon. I shall be rooting for the Germans.
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jonobugs
Subtitles are better most of the time because it doesn't change the movie. However I agree with one other poster that sometimes dubbing is better in cases where you just want to watch the movie. I have often missed some action because I was busy reading the text.
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LoveUSA
I enjoy subtitles; the person who translates deserves respect. sometimes the subtitles are better than the real words.
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Sarge
If you're watching 24 in English you need subtitles because it's impossible to hear Jack Bauer's whispering.
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Sarge
As Calvin of Calvin & Hobbes would say, if English is good enough for me, by golly it's good enough for the rest of the world! Ha ha!
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LoveUSA
I regard the translator of the subtitles as the leading character in the movie. Even if he stays hidden, we can know his character, his likes and dislikes and know his personality.
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Sarge
If the movie is Russian, Jamie Lee Curtis wouldn't need subtitles to have an orgasm, ha ha!
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EmmaHoward
Subtitles always selected whether English speaking or foreign to keep from missing words that would normally not be heard such as whispered or speaking in distance.
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LoveUSA
Sometimes I need subtitles to understand what Sarge means, hahahaa
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shreeree
Hand's down, subtitles. After hearing the actors real voices over the years of watching Asian films and reading subtitles I can't stand to hear dub voices. Several Japanese actors have nice deep speaking voices with a lot of passion especially in historical dramas. Then they dub it with these voices that make everything sound like a joke even when it's serious.
0
Ranger_Miffy
Subtitles, always----->INCLUDING Iron Chef. Was a tragedy that I couldn't continue my Japanese study when they dubbed that show. Absolutely a tragic moment.
0
Sarge
I like watching 24 in Japanese dubbed voice:
Bauer: Kuroe, jikan ga nai! Hayaku shiroo!
Chloe O'Brien: Wakatta yo, ima yattemasu!
0
Kronos
Always subtitles.
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masterkun05
Subtitles for sure. Dubbing takes away a lot of the intonation, verbal expression and therefore detracts considerably from the meaning and the emotion that is trying to be conveyed. I watched a Woody Allen movie in Hamburg once with German subtitles and I noticed how everyone laughed on cue. I am sure they would not have if it was dubbed. It was Woody at his best.
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morriconelover
As a generel rule, i only watch movies in its original language. In Denmark, only programs for children are dubbed into danish language, nothing else. So i love subtitles. But i also love seeing old b-movies from the 60ties/70ties from various european countries. In Italy for example for movies like action and horror movies, the movies were often made with dubbing from both italian, spanish, french, german and english dubbing. So sometimes there were no real original language to the movies. In those cases, i dont mind seeing them with dubbing.
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morriconelover
Funny that its often americans that complaint about not being able to follow a movie if it have subtitles:P
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dolphingirl
Subtitles.
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knowitall
Subtitles unless they are Japanese done by that quack Natsuko Toda. I can't avoid reading the Japanese subtitles, and her translation and her Japanese writing skills suck.
Will never forget the people from "Planet Local" and the Harley Davidson helicopter...
0
seaforte03
Subtitled - many times the translation totally loses the native colloquial joke/pun.
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newjackseoul
I go for subs because you can't "feel" the movie with a bad dub job - the emotions of a character are totally lost. I'd rather be able differentiate the original context to what is translated, even though the English translations seem to use more cussing than what is evident in native dialogues.
Interesting fact is that in Korea, there is a law that makes it a penalty to use bad translations for products that are meant to be exported to another country. When you read (usually) the packaging, it's always properly written in that foreign language. So, when you see bad translations in Korean movies, it's probably a Chinese translation into English for that version of the movie. The worst are "auto-translations" which even translate Japanese or Korea character names into Chinese names. Many Japanese movies seem to have OK translations, but most are still hard to understand and use "Engrish" instead of English. Dubbing makes me think of 70s and 80s kung fu flicks... I don't ever want to re-visit them.
0
Sarge
How about just watching the movie without any distracting subtitles or dubbed voices and try to get a feel for the language?
0
Cliffy
With subtitled since sometimes the voice actors really sucks. Then, on the other hand if you watch those old kung-fu movies with dubbed, it is really funny when it is out-synced.
0
yabits
It's called a "DVD."
0
sk4ek
Subtitles always, except for the U.S. designer competition show "Project Runway" on WOWOW, where the voice actors really seem to be having a blast.
0
sk4ek
Which reminds me, is there some technological hurdle that prevents WOWOW (and other channels) from providing access to the secondary, original language track when they broadcast the dubbed version of a movie??? Do the dubbed versions they get have the foreign (original) language track stripped away or something?? Most of the major commercial broadcasters show foreign movies in their dubbed form, but allow you to switch to the secondary voice track to hear the original... but not WOWOW...
0
dreamland
Good actors/actresses are cast for the roles they are able to play. It also seems like a waste to pay an actor/actress $20 mil just to be voiced over. Imagine watching a Michael Jackson video and hearing a voice over in another language. What's the point? Final answer - subtitles!
0
Klein2
The question leaves out two obvious alternatives. Watching it with neither or not watching it at all.
I have done both of those. I like to watch movies in their original language, which is usually better even if only half the language is clear. There is more nuance in the voice than in the words. Getting the original Japanese version of some anime is difficult if you are in the US and some version has already been dubbed. All I need to say is "Disney". In such cases, I avoid the dumbed down version. Then there are the "remakes" that Americans do with movies, which usually lose the sense of the original. See "Godzilla". I skip those.
Apparently people like subtitles. Well. People understand that they aren't acculate and comprete, right? Oh. Maybe most people don't know that. But it beats voiceovers. Dubbing is the worst. On old movies, especially Godzilla type b-movies, the dubbing does not even match the original story, and it is combined with editing to make a mish-mash of the original. Gamera was transformed from an anti-Cold War message to a jingoistic "America and its allies save the earth" movie. Dubbing presents a lie that everyone must believe. Subtitles present an interpretation along with the truth. Also, recently, somebody got the bright idea of trying to match the voice to the mouth movements on anime, giving an unnatural, breathless rhythm to the voice. Big mistake.
I really like the fairly recent comedy show that takes old Beat Takeshi and Sanma shows and dubs them with jokes and made up comedy. The insane sight gags coupled with the modern edge really gets me every time. The intended interpretation is not necessarily the funniest one, after all. I liked MST3K too, so you know where I am coming from.
0
Zenny11
sk4ek.
No technological hurdle simulcast been available for decades.
Most japanese channels both TV(Friday/Sunday Movie, etc) and cable use it. Granted at times they only broadcast the japanese soundtrack(specified in guides as when bilingual/dubbed/subbed is available).
All you need is a stereo-TV(won't work with a Mono) and the remocon should have a button on it that allows you to switch languages. Ditto for cable/sattelite remocon.
HTH.
0
nogardflow
I sometimes watch a dubbed movie with the subtitles on. It can be quite interesting to hear and read the different translations.
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Dewaashita
Subtitles.
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Farmboy
Have to go with subtitles, though a bad translation is a bad translation no matter what the form. Still, better to retain some of the rhythm and sound of the author's original creation, and at least avoid the experience I once had of seeing Bonanza in French... Hoss Cartwright with a high voice and insipid tone.
0
USARonin
-native language with subtitles in one of my own.
0
weerach
definately subtitles, because when i watch a dubbed movie i get really irritated with it all being out of synch with it not being in the right language. same with anime too, i prefer subs because the dubs nearly always suck because i dont think the voices suit the characters half the time in english
0
Sarge
yabits: "It's called a DVD."
Poor attempt at ridiculing me. I'm well aware that you can choose to watch a movie without the subtitles or dubbed voices on a DVD. The question here is which do you prefer, and I was suggesting neither, even though I personally enjoy watching some movies/TV programs with dubbed voices.
0
chotto
Subtitles
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PeaceWarrior
I also like watching Japanese movies with Japanese subtitles, it sometimes helps with difficult parts or with strange accents.
0
Carcharodon
subtitles absolutely. I loathe fukikae - dubbed movies. I am still seriously put out from when the idiots at star channel made one of their channels dedicated to dubbed movies - I didn't pay them to watch butchered movies and they certainly have the technology to provide dual audio options. Cant watch toy story Three at my local as its fukikae only - 2d and 3d. What a travesty - Tom Hanks is Woody, Cliff Clavin is Ham, Gunnery sgt Hartman is Sarge! You only have half the equation, I couldnt bear to hear some Japanese nobody desecrate such a well made movie.
0
SEPTIMUS
If I am watching a moving that was not made in my own native language I prefer to have subtitles. The voiceovers I feel cheapen the quality of the film, but that is just my opinion.
0
MrDog
Subtitles.
The Japanese way of dubbing is annoying. They always put on that irritating over-the-top voice, especially for men. You imagine every line spoken with a VERY knitted brow.
I think they only have 3 voices.
1) Macho (**** darou ga!)
2) Jaunty (boku wa **** da yo, iku sa!)
3) Female (**** wa yo)
0
Himajin
Yes, it is annoying, MrDog. The hyper huffing and puffing, gasping and squeaking is aggravating, as well as the tones of voice.
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MrDog
@Himajin
I hate the way that in the original language, the actors are talking in a normal voive, but the dubbing is doen in a way that NOBODY talks like.
Anyone can put on a voice! These people are called "voice actors", where's the real acting? Not the over-the-top rubbish.
I also hate the stupid things they have to do, like have all old people say "jya" in their sentences.
This is why dubbed films are for kids.
0
supemorgan8
I think if you are at the level of understanding a Japanese movie without subtitles and in japanese... thats really the best way to watch it. Subtitles do not distract my eyes but I hate seeing some of the mistranslations. also in english there are so many japanese terms that cant be explained to the fullest, as they should be. you lose a lot of emotion in those instances... that really perturbs me. so yeah... no dubs, its definitely for kids. like disney movies. those are fine dubbed into japanese. i actually like those a bunch in japanese. lets me relive the movie and hear new songs!
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