Dubs or subs?

[Gilly]

I'm trying to work my way through the Criterion Collection and I have a question for all you movie buffs..dubbed or subtitled?

I feel like I'm missing out with both. Subtitles let me hear the original actors voice but dubbing lets me watch the movie as a movie instead of trying to read and follow along with what's happening on the screen. I feel like I'm missing important elements either way. Which do you prefer?

[todd]

Fuck, I thought this thread was about pimping Gilly's ride.

[Matt]

Subs, all the way. The Host taught me that lesson.

[TremblingEagle]

I remember hating the dub of Crouching Tiger

[yesno]

Subs for regular movies.

I'm fine with dubs for animation.

[Sarah]

Subtitles all the way.

[Fig Neutron]

I can't say across the board.  I thought Forbidden Games (Jeux interdits) was dubbed tremendously, but Shaolin Soccor was downright offensive.  To be done well, it would have to be with genuine quality actors (unless the original ones sucked anyway), as well as good direction of those voice actors.  It would probably warrant about as many takes as in the filming of the original scenes.  Rarely is such effort made.

[Oogie]

I think that to watch a foreign film you should be required to learn the native language of that film, and that those who try and cheat should be garroted.

for example i learned jon pertweese to fully enjoy frenzy.

[Sarah]

Feisty this morning, aintcha, Grimlock?

[Andy]

Subs are ok for you elitists who know how to read, but us working types prefer dubs.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

subtitles all the way!

i dont mind dubbed when its japanese animation though.  other animation is a case by case basis- i.e., Persepolis (french)

[Sarah]

Obviously, dubbing is going to be less of a problem in animation, since the disconnect between the mouth movements and the words is less apparent.

[Martin]

Now is the time for us to gather together and celebrate those things we like and think are fun
Nu är det dags för oss att samlas och fira de saker vi gillar och tycker är kul

Subs all the way.

[Gilly]

Interesting, I was expecting somebody to defend dubbed films. I think you're missing out either way and in some films, take Fellini films for example you're missing out on the amazing visuals to read the script...and with some directors the script is really secondary.

I've watched The Seventh Seal both ways and I might have liked the dubbed version better because I got more from the movie from seeing the expressions on the actor's faces than the expressions in their voices. My mom's side of the family is 100 percent Swedish but I don't think there is anybody still alive that speaks the language or that even has an accent other than normal Swedish MN.

[Miss]

I thought this thread was going to have me make the difficult decision between a dub sack and a sub snack.
xo