Don't you just hate dubbing?

Question

I'd rather watch a movie with subtitles than watch a dubbed movie.
I think tones of the voice is part of the actors' performance.
The French version of Casino Royale made me vow never to watch a dubbed movie again. Unfortunately cinemas in my country(Mauritius) only show movies in French and THAT is exasperating.

Answer 1

Agreed, I would much rather hear the voices of the original actors whenever possible. Actors who perform for dubbing tracks are seldom as good as the actors cast in the movie (though there are exceptions to this general rule).

I hear people say on occasion, "I don't want to have to read a movie." This always makes me wonder if they have trouble with dyslexia or some other reading disorder. After all, it takes less than a second to read most subtitles. A quick glance is all it takes. Why give up the subtle tones of voice and inflection that help make a performance?

Exceptions include the films of Hayao Miyazaki released in the US market by Disney. Disney signs some of the best actors available to dub these so the performance never suffers. Also, Japanese tones of voice are so different from those in most western languages that I can't read much from them anyway.
My usual habit is to view Miyazaki's movies with both the English soundtrack and the subtitles. It's fun to compare what is being said vocally with the translated dialobue in the subtitles. Often there is enough discrepancy to show that the dubbing has been somewhat altered to help match the lip movements of the animated characters; presumably the English subtitles give a more accurate representation of the actual lines.

Just my opiniion, of course.

I hope this helps.

Adastra,
the Wizzard of Jacksonville

Answer 2

I'd rather have dubbing. At least you can concentrate on the movie than having to look at subtitles all the way through.

Answer 3

I agree. I saw Berman's movie Fannie and Alexander in both the subtitled and dubbed version. Subtitled was MUCH better.

Answer 4

I'd rather watch one with the English language, I can't understand it otherwise, unless its a film of one nation that speaks Engl;ish v another that speaks a different tounge! I like films such as "Black Hawk Down" as it shows the locals of Mogadishu speaking Somalian Arabic, not English. (as it should do!)

Answer 5

Yeah its bizarre when someone's lip movements don't match what they are saying. Give me subtitles anyday.

Answer 6

Yes, it's fairly awful. Why not buy dvd's and set the language to English?

Answer 7

You live in Mauritious? Wow-you live in near paradise. Are there many islands-what is life like there?

Answer 8

yeah dubbing sucks so bad, especially in animes