What's the deal here? It seems like there are entire phrases, and almost a quarter to half of all the spoken word is being left out. Who the hell was in charge of subtitling?
This bothered me so much that i couldn't get through the first 15 minutes of the film without getting on imdb to post this. I'd like to know whos fault this was so I don't spend any more money on their foreign films. Was it Image Entertainment? Film Preservation Associates?
From the look of it, the subtitles appear to be the original 1940s ones (you can tell by the font). Also for the protection of our virgin eyes, some of the 'vulgarities' are totally ignored in the subtitles.
All in all, I thought this was a poorly marketed DVD:
1) scratchy image
2) no updated and COMPLETE translation in the subtitles (I'd like to know some of those German parts in there too)
3) no bonus features, no title screen (just plays automatically once popped into the DVD player)
4) overpriced for a DVD without any special features (MSRP $30)
For those with a multi-region DVD player, there's a UK release of Roma, citta' aperta due out in March or April, which will be roughly the same price as the American one. None of the websites with pre-orders had any additional information on there though. Until then...go Image Entertainment!
[deleted]
I just got this movie last night, via Netflix, and like you, chicopaparazzi, could not get through the first 15 minutes on account of the poor subtitling. This is such a landmark film, and I did not want my experience of it to be ruined by subtitles that only give the gist of what is being said. This would be an ideal film for Criterion to get a hold of and do a proper remastering job--Im actually surprised they haven't already, unless there is some legal hangup. So, for now, I've mailed Open City back to Netflix to await a future, improved release!
shareHello,
I am Italian and I am not concerned with subtitles for my language, but a lot of the dialogues are in German, and there were no subtitles too, unfortunately!
I've just watched the video version and though I agree with the comments & criticisms re. the lousy subtitles, be assured that you don't really miss a whole lot, either in German or Italian. You can pretty well figure out what is going on. What I wish is that there would be an option of having subtitles in the original language(s), as with some splendid dvd's of operas. Or that I could easily get & play the dvd from the original country with subtitles for the hard-of-hearing option. That would do the trick too. mkt
shareI think Criterion needs to get their hands on this film quick and give it a definitive DVD release.
shareI just watched this movie for my first time this morning, and have to agree with all here: amazing that such an important film was given such shoddy treatment. I did find that the stretches without subtitles were fairly easy to follow, though, based on actions and situation. But, I also speak SOME Italian (not fluent but can get by) just from growing up in It. family, so maybe that's what got me through it without too much difficulty.
But still: incredibly bad print, lack of subtitles, no extras to give us some background on such an historic film. I want the backstory on how it was filmed, etc. I've heard some of its legend, but would like to know more. Can anyone recommend a good doc or book that gives some insight? Thanks.
"This is the game that moves as you play." X
But, I found it odd how random words were emphasised.
"I'm walking here!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwybhbJTKgs
I agree with everyone that this would be a perfect video for Criterion to update.
I just watched the film tonight (from Netflix) and it looks as bad as the 16mm print we watched in film history class 15 years ago. I've taken two years of Spanish since then, so with the similarities between Spanish, the little French I know and Italian, I got through it a little better this time, but the translation is in great need of an update and completion.
The subtitles were put on the film during its first international release and cannot be removed and have therefore become part of this fine work of art. It is true, many trivial parts of the conversation are not translated--but the essential parts are and the rest can be understood by observing the gestures. Because of these sparse titles we can spend less time reading and more time watching the film.
I like to see beautifully restored films but removing all of the scratches or changing the subtitles would betray the creator's intent in the case of this film. Sometimes we must accept art as it is rather than molding it into the typical package we have been trained to accept or would want it to be. That said, extra features would have been greatly appreciated!
[deleted]
Well Obviosly the subtitles are burnt int to the movie and you cant switch them of unfortuently there not very sucsesfull as big amounts of dialouge isnt subtitles this is allso a probleam with War and Peace (1968) the english dub is ok then for no reason a question is asked in english then answered in russian.
Moving of the topic a bit this must have been filmed on some cheap negatives it realy is a scrachy picture it should me digitaly remastered and cleaned up and what i dont get it on MGM dvds and paramount and fox all the dvds you can think of the films are in all laungages where as 95% of the foriegn films we geton dvd dont have an english dub are they just to lazy to dub the movies rather dubbed then sibtitles and massive dialog missing.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO that was a mouthfall (eddie catflap) Ohh errr
Yes, it was filmed immediately after the war and some of the film was not developed properly. I don't know how much of the current "damaged" state of the film is actually the way the original film was.
shareThats the dumbest thing i ever read.
shareBy not subtitling every word the film maker and distributor were making a point. The films of Powell and Pressburger do not subtitle every line where one of the characters speaks a language other than English. The effect is that one is asked to have a sense or feeling for the conversation and characters without it and them being translated. It's quite easy to gain a sense in Rome, Open City of what is not being subtitled.
I wish people would put aside their desire to have everything explained and just let the film roll. They'd get more out of it.
I give my respect to those who have earned it; to everyone else, I'm civil.share